Mother's Day

Mother's Day History

Mother's Day serves to express love and gratitude towards the extraordinary women in our lives who brought us into the world, nurtured us, and selflessly dedicated themselves to our well-being. This special day is not only celebrated by showering mothers with affection and tokens of appreciation, but also by honouring the influence of maternal figures, such as grandmothers, stepmothers, and foster mothers, who contribute to the betterment of society by fostering the growth of the next generation.

The concept of Mother's Day dates back to the early 20th century, inspired by American social activist Anna Jarvis and her campaign to honour her own mother in 1905. Following her successful efforts to establish the holiday in the United States, Mother's Day gradually gained popularity across the world, including in Canada. Today, this festive occasion offers an opportunity for families to come together, share stories, and acknowledge the invaluable sacrifices, love, wisdom, and resilience that mothers embody.

Mothers Day in Canada is a time for showering our beloved maternal figures with gifts, cards, flowers, and other expressions of gratitude, reinforcing the importance of recognizing and cherishing the remarkable women that enrich our lives with their unwavering care and support. In Canada, Mother's Day is observed on the second Sunday of May each year.

Mother's Day facts

• Julia Ward Howe, the author of The Battle Hymn of the Republic, came up with the notion of a Mother's Day in 1870. In a proclamation, she urged mothers to take a stand against sons killing the sons of other mothers.
• In the animal kingdom, Orangutan moms are the "primate champion" of motherhood, having the longest dependent care period among great apes, with their offspring weaning off at about 6 to 7 years old.
• The average age of first-time mothers in Canada is about 31 years old as of 2021. It has been increasing over the past few decades.
• Canada has a national maternity leave policy that allows eligible mothers to take up to 52 weeks of leave with a combination of employment insurance benefits and job protection.

In the News and Trending in Canada for Mother's Day

Top things to do in Canada for Mother's Day

• Send mom and grandma flowers. You can either pick them up and deliver them yourself if you are nearby or use one of many online services that ship directly to her door.
• Give mom a gift she will really appreciate - a day at the spa or a weekend off.
• Visit the Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market, the oldest continuously running farmers' market in North America. Located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the market holds a special Mother's Day event featuring local vendors selling flowers, gifts, and food.
• Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario. The facility hosts a special Mother's Day Tea event, which features a selection of teas, sandwiches, scones, and desserts.