Over the past month, supporters from school boards, health care, police, municipalities, grassroots, and community organizations have come together to launch a collective initiative to combat hate and foster belonging across Waterloo Region.

The We All Belong campaign encourages residents to care for one another at a human level and celebrate the differences—and similarities—that unite everyone. Its messages, “We all belong here” and “Hate is not ok. Name it. Report it,” aim to raise awareness of identity-based harm and motivate action, from institutional policy changes to honest, sometimes difficult conversations at home.

The campaign, led by the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan’s Combatting Hate Action Table (CHAT) and designed by Indigenous artist Katie Wilhelm, has already been made visible across the region with posters, signs, and a Grand River Transit bus wrap carrying the campaign message through neighbourhoods, further amplifying the call for community belonging.

Spread the word

Organizers say the launch comes at a critical time, with recent community reports indicating both a rise in hate incidents and an erosion of belonging—a key factor in a thriving community. Residents are encouraged to:

• Take the pledge at www.webelongwr.ca
• Learn about and report hate and harm
• Have supportive conversations
• Share the campaign messages through social media and other channels

“This campaign invites people in rather than pushing them out,” said Kamil Ahmed, director of partnership and knowledge mobilization at Community Justice Initiatives. “It’s about joining people where they are, from understanding rather than shame, and supporting them to build awareness and empathy.”

From a policing perspective, Sergeant Pete Koonsakda of Waterloo Regional Police said, “Addressing hate requires an all-of-community response. Evidence-based practices and collaboration across organizations are key to developing effective strategies.”

The campaign is part of the broader Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan, a community-led initiative addressing four key priorities: combating hate, creating safe and inclusive spaces, addressing mental health and addiction needs, and tackling intimate partner and gender-based violence, including Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.