Palestine Day on the Hill in Ottawa Marks Ten Years of Palestinian Civic Presence in Canada
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In late May 2026, Ottawa hosted the 10th annual Palestine Day on the Hill, organized by the Association of Palestinian Arab Canadians, APAC, under the theme “Root to Justice.” The event brought together community members, political figures, and allies in a setting that combined civic engagement, cultural identity, and solidarity with the Palestinian people. Archived event records confirm the Ottawa gathering, while coverage described it as the tenth edition of an annual APAC event focused on raising Palestine within Canada’s parliamentary space.
The evening carried both a formal and community character, with speeches, visual presentations, and a strong presence from Palestinian and Arab Canadian participants. Rather than serving only as a commemorative gathering, the event reflected an ongoing effort to keep Palestinian voices visible in Canadian public life and connected to wider conversations about justice, dignity, rights, and belonging.
In a House of Commons statement, MP Salma Zahid said this year’s theme highlighted Palestinians’ deep connection to their homeland and the importance of dignity, rights, and belonging. She also described the event as an opportunity to reflect on progress made and the work still needed to support peace, justice, and mutual understanding.
The event’s visual and cultural atmosphere also documented a clear Palestinian identity, through traditional dress, stage design, symbols, and community participation. Together, these elements turned the evening into more than a political gathering. It became a public record of Palestinian cultural presence within a Canadian institutional space.
The significance of the 10th edition lies in its continuity. Over the past decade, Palestine Day on the Hill has developed into a platform where community advocacy, parliamentary engagement, and cultural memory meet. In 2026, that message appeared especially relevant as Palestine continues to occupy a central place in Canadian and international debate over justice, human rights, and public responsibility.
