Events in November 2026

To add your secular, scientific or critical thinking event to our calendar, please complete our Calendar Submission Form.

This calendar uses the Eastern Time Zone.

3 7:00 pm: Ottawa Watch Party: 2026 US Midterms 7:00 pm – 11:59 pm November 3, 2026 Get ready for a nail-biting night of high stakes and high drama as we watch the early results of the most crucial US midterm election of our lifetime. The party that takes control of the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as the majority of state races, will not only help influence the future of their country, but Canada's as well. Join our group of friendly atheists, agnostics, secular humanists, and critical thinkers at The Lieutenant’s Pump, 361 Elgin Street in Ottawa, for an exciting evening as we watch the first returns roll in at 8 PM until the pub closes at midnight. We've developed a reputation for hosting the best-attended election parties in Ottawa, so come socialize with us. 🍻 Kick Off the Night Early: If you want to snag a prime seat, you can also sign up for our monthly Skeptics in the Pub gathering starting at 7 PM, where you can enjoy great conversations, meet like-minded folks, and order dinner. 🌟Fun Activities: Throughout the evening, we’ll have trivia, analyses, predictions, and our own interactive map led by our hosts, Scott and Robert. There'll likely be lively discourse and maybe some friendly debates at your table over some cold beers. You can also win prizes, which will be awarded at our next pub night on December 1st, by filling in a ballot with your guess of the final results. You won’t just watch the results come in, you’ll be part of the action. 💳 Cost: FREE. Just pay for your own food and drinks, but no purchase is necessary. 🤝 Please Note: We are non-partisan organizations, so this will be an educational rather than a political event. With that said, don't be surprised if most participants are rooting for candidates who shares our core values on issues such as the separation of church and state, climate change, the rights of women to make decisions for their own bodies, assisting families that live in poverty, and the protection of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, refugees and other marginalized groups. 🎟️ Reserve Your Spot: Seating is limited, so be sure to RSVP early by clicking the “Attend" button to secure your place. Centre for Inquiry Canada and Humanist Ottawa have separate Meetup notices, but you only have to RSVP once. History is unfolding; come watch it happen with people who care about where things are heading. Ottawa Ottawa, Ontario Canada View Location Map More information Hosted by Centre for Inquiry Canada Ottawa

8 8:00 pm: “It’s Only Waste if We Waste it”. Spent Nuclear Fuel or “Nuclear Waste” is a Valuable Resource. 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm November 8, 2026 By Todd De Ryck Sunday, Nov. 8 at 8 PM ET Join now Here is a post I wrote in December, 2025: “It’s only waste if we waste it“. Cal Doucette, Director, Engineering with ARC Clean Technology in New Brunswick will conduct a webinar about their company, their sodium fast nuclear reactor, their experience completing two stages of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s (CNSC) pre licensing vendor design review and will discuss why spent nuclear fuel, or “nuclear waste” is actually a valuable resource. Their nuclear reactor is based on the EBR II (Experimental Breeder Reactor II), which operated for 30 years at Idaho National Labs. Here is a 20 minute film “Making a Contribution: The Story of EBR-II“. Here is an eight-minute segment from the pro-nuclear documentary “Pandora’s Promise” specifically about the EBR II “The Integral Fast Reactor“. Here is the full version of “Pandora’s Promise,” which made its debut on CNN in November 2013: https://youtu.be/YPIHWrRuHlE?si=xiqdcgjstIs_7zON. Here are two books related to the technical details of this reactor and its potential: “Plentiful Energy” and “Prescription for the Planet“. Cal Doucette Director, Engineering, ARC Clean Technology Cal Doucette has over 30 years of engineering experience in the petrochemical, wood products, air pollution control, solvent recycling, telecommunications, consulting engineering, and nuclear industries. He has been a plant manager, multidisciplinary project manager, lead engineer, and president of a privately owned consulting engineering firm. Cal served as a design engineering section head and system responsible operations specialist with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL). He was also the project manager for emergency core cooling strainer installations, lead engineer for the NRU vessel leak repair project and responsible for the processing of legacy liquid waste through the CNL liquid waste immobilization system. Cal holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree from McGill University. Virtual Canada View Location Map More information Hosted by Critical Links

9 7:00 pm: Book Club (Non-Fiction) 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm November 9, 2026 Welcome, all inquiring minds. The goal of this group is to explore topics, ideas, and concepts with a critical eye and the willingness to ask questions; • Is the thesis of this book on solid ground? • Is what this book is presenting true or false? • Is the topic being presented in a fair and even-handed manner? Anyone interested in controversial and often contentious topics of the day and willing to explore all sides of an issue should consider joining. We will select a new book at the end of each session. The book club will meet on the first Monday of the month at 7:00 pm. We have an allotted time of 2 hours. The link to this event is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89082917143?pwd=T0pJY0hsWE00a3hpbTBoQWNUQjJyQT09#success Virtual Canada View Location Map More information Hosted by Critical Links

12 Secular Brunch – Ottawa Centretown November 12, 2026 Looking for good food and great conversations? Secular Brunch – Ottawa Centretown is a monthly discussion group where you can socialize with friendly atheists, agnostics, humanists, skeptics, and other free-thinkers in the National Capital Region. Hosted by Centre for Inquiry Canada (CFIC), this event will be held at the Lieutenant's Pump in the far right corner where we have a quiet space all to ourselves. You can enjoy their weekend brunch until 1:00 pm, the regular menu after that, or just order water or other beverages. No purchase is necessary! When: Sunday, October 18 from noon to 2:00 PM (It's not too late to attend the brunch on Sunday, September 20th ) Where: Lieutenant's Pump, 361 Elgin Street, Gallery Room in the right rear corner What we do: Similar to CFI’s former “Sunday Unsermon” group and our current online "Secular Chat", conversations and fun debate topics vary from week to week based on the interests of the participants. Topics might include: Current events and progressive politics Ethics, philosophy, and history Science and skepticism Counter-apologetics to religion Any other subjects involving critical thinking There's no set agenda. You can bring a topic to discuss, and we’ll try to fit it in. CFIC volunteers lightly moderate the conversation to help ensure everyone has a chance to talk. If you'd prefer to listen rather than talk, that's fine too. Prizes: We'll hold a draw, and the winner gets their choice of a new book on secularism from a list of over 20 titles. How to get there: Transit: Take OC Transpo buses 5, 14, or 18 (Elgin/Waverly stop heading north; Elgin/Gladstone heading south). Walking: It's a 15-minute walk from the uOttawa O-Train station across the Corktown Footbridge, or a 20-minute walk from Rideau Centre or the Glebe. Driving: Street parking is free all weekend. Alternative Meetings and Support: If you can’t make it to brunch, CFIC offers several other ways to connect: Online Secular Chat - Ottawa West is hosted by the CFI Secular Community Network every Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm. Skeptics in the Pub is on the first Tuesday of every month at Lieutenant's Pump. It's similar to the event in the park, but due to its size, conversations are usually limited to the people near you. Living Without Religion is CFIC's monthly online support group held on the first Sunday of every month . Secular groups in Ottawa lists local and like-minded organizations. Recovering from Religion (RfR) is setting up an Ottawa branch this fall in cooperation with CFIC. If you're interested in volunteering , go to their website or ask one of the organizers at the event. Hope to see you on the Sunday after Thanksgiving! Ottawa Ottawa, Ontario Canada View Location Map More information Hosted by Centre for Inquiry Canada Ottawa

15 2:00 pm: Recovering from Religion: Ottawa Potential Volunteers 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm November 15, 2026 Are you interested in learning about becoming a volunteer Support Group Leader for the new Recovering from Religion (RfR) chapter starting in Ottawa-Gatineau later this year? Where: In-person at Lieutenant’s Pump (rear right corner) or online via Zoom (RSVP for the address) When: Sunday, November 15 from 2 to 2:30 pm EDT following CFIC’s Secular Brunch Who: Led by RfR international coordinators, and come meet our first two local volunteers Founded in 2009 by psychologist and author Dr. Darrel Ray, RfR provides support to people who have experienced trauma as a result of their religious upbringing or who are struggling with themselves, their families, or loved ones as they consider leaving their religion. In addition to in-person meetings, RfR offers global virtual meetings and a 24-hour support line. We would like to find at least two additional Support Group Leaders to share the duties in Ottawa-Gatineau. If you can't attend the information session, you can also contact RfR directly through their website. Centre for Inquiry Canada (CFIC) will provide ongoing logistical support to plan and promote the RfR meetings in Ottawa starting later this year at the Main Branch of the Ottawa Public Library. You can read the announcement in their Critical Links newsletter. Ottawa Ottawa, Ontario Canada View Location Map More information Hosted by Centre for Inquiry Canada Ottawa

To add your secular, scientific or critical thinking event to our calendar, please complete our Calendar Submission Form.

Please allow 7 days to for your event to be added to the calendar.

Questions? Email calendar@centreforinquiry.ca.