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.
Events in August 2026
| MonMonday | TueTuesday | WedWednesday | ThuThursday | FriFriday | SatSaturday | SunSunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
July 27, 2026(1 event) 6:00 pm: CFIC Toronto Hangout (Monday) –  As I looked under CFI’s Mission, Vision, and Values, the phrase ‘community’ stood out in the opening line. Then, I found it repeated seven more times, all within a short description. Elsewhere, CFI informs us that we run ‘open’ and ‘friendly’ discussions in ‘safe and hospitable’ environments for everyone. And 'Critical Thinking' is, you might say, the backbone for starting any discussion. But while we all know what thinking is, how is critical thinking different? Especially in matters that are not quantitatively measurable? As humans, thankfully, we are born curious – we probably won’t have learnt to crawl on four to experience our body and the world around us. We all are capable of being forever-curious – and therefore seeing through the evidence methodically. That is a good start for any talk, no matter how complex it may seem. If it’s a human problem, we may not solve it, but we can surely think through it critically. That’s a big and hopeful first step! Tantalizing? Let’s Talk! 789 Yonge Street (Toronto Reference Library, near Balzac's Coffee) Toronto, Ontario M4W 2G8 Canada (416) 395-5577 Event Accessibility
 Hosted by Centre for Inquiry Toronto | July 28, 2026 | July 29, 2026 |
July 30, 2026(1 event) 6:00 pm: CFIC Toronto Hangout (Thursday) – As I looked under CFI’s Mission, Vision, and Values, the phrase ‘community’ stood out in the opening line. Then, I found it repeated seven more times, all within a short description. Elsewhere, CFI informs us that we run ‘open’ and ‘friendly’ discussions in ‘safe and hospitable’ environments for everyone. And 'Critical Thinking' is, you might say, the backbone for starting any discussion. But while we all know what thinking is, how is critical thinking different? Especially in matters that are not quantitatively measurable? As humans, thankfully, we are born curious – we probably won’t have learnt to crawl on four to experience our body and the world around us. We all are capable of being forever-curious – and therefore seeing through the evidence methodically. That is a good start for any talk, no matter how complex it may seem. If it’s a human problem, we may not solve it, but we can surely think through it critically. That’s a big and hopeful first step! Tantalizing? Let’s Talk! 789 Yonge Street (Toronto Reference Library, near Balzac's Coffee) Toronto, Ontario M4W 2G8 Canada (416) 395-5577 Event Accessibility
Hosted by Centre for Inquiry Toronto | July 31, 2026 | August 1, 2026 |
August 2, 2026(1 event) 12:00 pm: Living Without Religon – Hosted by Virtual Branch –  Living without Religion (LWR) is a monthly peer support group for those who have left their religion, are considering leaving their religion, and/or are encountering challenges with friends, family, classmates or co-workers due to religious differences. If you're already comfortable leading a secular lifestyle, you can also come to offer emotional support or advice, or just to enjoy a sense of social community that religions often offer. Moderated by volunteers from the Virtual and Ottawa Branch of Centre for Inquiry Canada (CFIC), LWR meets on the first Sunday of every month from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm EST. To join, log into Zoom:  Hosted by Critical Links |
August 3, 2026 |
August 4, 2026(1 event) 7:00 pm: Skeptics in the Pub: Ottawa –  Meet friendly skeptics, atheists, humanists and freethinkers for Skeptics in the Pub. If you’re tired of listening to people make unlikely claims or outlandish theories, come out and meet new friends instead. Co-hosted by Humanist Ottawa and the Centre for Inquiry Canada, we meet regularly on the first Tuesday of each month. It’s an informal, warm and fun atmosphere. Join the free-wheeling conversation. FOR ALL RETURNING SKEPTICS: You already know the fun involved, so bring a friend. The Lieutenants Pump | 361 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON Hosted by Critical Links | August 5, 2026 | August 6, 2026 |
August 7, 2026(1 event) 1:00 pm: Volunteers for World Humanist Congress 2026 –  I am reaching out regarding the World Humanist Congress 2026, which will be held in Ottawa from August 7–9, 2026. The Congress organizers are asking secular friends in the Ottawa area to organize and lead a series of short walking tours for attendees from around the world. We are currently looking for volunteers to serve as walking tour guides. The tour script is being prepared, so guides do not need to be historians or experts on Ottawa. What we are looking for are friendly, enthusiastic people who can serve as warm ambassadors for Ottawa and Canada. The tours will last approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. We also plan to offer a shorter, more accessible route for participants who may find longer walks challenging. The walking tours will take place on Friday, August 7. They will highlight some of Ottawa’s best-known landmarks and attractions, including Parliament Hill, the National War Memorial, the Rideau Canal locks, the National Gallery, and the Human Rights Monument. The tours will depart in groups beginning at 1:00 p.m., with the final tour leaving at 5:00 p.m. Any assistance you could offer would be greatly appreciated. If you are interested in volunteering, please RSVP as soon as possible. Friends and family members who would like to assist are also very welcome. We are also exploring the possibility of recruiting high school students who require volunteer service hours for graduation. If you have experience with this process or know how it works, please get in touch. This may be another excellent source of volunteers. Thank you for your consideration and support. We look forward to hearing from you.  Hosted by Centre for Inquiry Canada Ottawa | August 8, 2026 | August 9, 2026 |
August 10, 2026 | August 11, 2026 | August 12, 2026 | August 13, 2026 | August 14, 2026 |
August 15, 2026(1 event) 3:00 pm: Skeptics in the Park – Ottawa –  Join us Saturday in Minto Park on Elgin Street for Skeptics in the Park. Hosted by Centre for Inquiry Canada (CFIC), this is an in-person and informal discussion group for sceptics/skeptics, science buffs, atheists, agnostics, secular humanists, and freethinkers in the National Capital Region. When: Saturday, August 15 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM Where: Minto Park, between Gilmour and Lewis, across from Elgin Street School What we do: Similar to our Skeptics in the Pub nights, we enjoy intelligent and lively discussions about current events, history, human rights, international politics, philosophy, science, technology, or any other topic that involves critical thinking. We'll be sitting around picnic tables, so the discussions are unmoderated. How to get there:
What to bring:
In Case of Rain: We will head to Lieutenant's Pump, 361 Elgin, Cellar Room in the far left corner Hope to see you this Saturday! Hosted by Centre for Inquiry Canada Ottawa |
August 16, 2026(1 event) 12:00 pm: Secular Brunch – Ottawa Centretown –  Secular Brunch - Ottawa Centretown is a new in-person and lightly-moderated discussion group for atheists, agnostics, humanists, skeptics, and other free-thinkers in the National Capital Region. Hosted by Centre for Inquiry Canada (CFIC), this first event will be held at the Lieutenant's Pump in the far right corner. 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: This Sunday from noon to 2:00 PM 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 online "Secular Chat", conversations and fun debate topics vary from week to week based on the interests of the participants. Topics might include:
There's no set agenda. You can bring a topic to discuss, and we’ll try to fit it in. CFIC volunteers help ensure everyone has a chance to talk. 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:
Hope to see you this Sunday! Hosted by Centre for Inquiry Canada Ottawa |
August 17, 2026 | August 18, 2026 | August 19, 2026 | August 20, 2026 | August 21, 2026 | August 22, 2026 | August 23, 2026 |
August 24, 2026 | August 25, 2026 | August 26, 2026 | August 27, 2026 | August 28, 2026 | August 29, 2026 | August 30, 2026 |
August 31, 2026 |
September 1, 2026(1 event) 7:00 pm: Skeptics in the Pub: Ottawa – Meet friendly skeptics, atheists, humanists and freethinkers for Skeptics in the Pub. If you’re tired of listening to people make unlikely claims or outlandish theories, come out and meet new friends instead. Co-hosted by Humanist Ottawa and the Centre for Inquiry Canada, we meet regularly on the first Tuesday of each month. It’s an informal, warm and fun atmosphere. Join the free-wheeling conversation. FOR ALL RETURNING SKEPTICS: You already know the fun involved, so bring a friend. The Lieutenants Pump | 361 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON Hosted by Critical Links | September 2, 2026 | September 3, 2026 | September 4, 2026 | September 5, 2026 |
September 6, 2026(1 event) 12:00 pm: Living Without Religon – Hosted by Virtual Branch – Living without Religion (LWR) is a monthly peer support group for those who have left their religion, are considering leaving their religion, and/or are encountering challenges with friends, family, classmates or co-workers due to religious differences. If you're already comfortable leading a secular lifestyle, you can also come to offer emotional support or advice, or just to enjoy a sense of social community that religions often offer. Moderated by volunteers from the Virtual and Ottawa Branch of Centre for Inquiry Canada (CFIC), LWR meets on the first Sunday of every month from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm EST. To join, log into Zoom: Hosted by Critical Links |
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.