Put Consent on the Map: Proclaim Consent Awareness Week in Your Region

Written By Jocelyn Courneya

Proclamations and Consent Awareness Week

Consent Awareness Week is a national initiative by Possibility Seeds and High School Too intended to create a culture where all people are supported in learning about consent, bodily autonomy, and healthy sexuality. This year, the Courage to Act Foundation has heeded the call and will be uplifting Consent Awareness Week through shared advocacy and awareness efforts.

By declaring Consent Awareness Week annually during the third week of September (Monday, September 15 to Friday, September 19, 2025), we foster a shared national moment to highlight the importance of consent education and engage diverse communities in dialogue and action. It also provides a focal point for schools, service providers, and organizations to deliver programming that strengthens efforts to end gender-based violence.

Since its inception in 2022, Consent Awareness Week has received growing support. Multiple provinces have issued proclamations, two have declared the occasion in perpetuity; and in 2023, the first Private Member’s Bill in Ontario proposed formalizing the week in legislation.

As of 2025, Possibility Seeds and the Courage to Act Foundation continue to encourage proclamations at municipal, provincial/territorial, and federal levels and provide resources and guidance to support those seeking declarations in their communities.

Note: Alberta and Manitoba have declared Consent Awareness Week in perpetuity. Advocacy at the provincial level in these provinces is no longer required. 

What is a Proclamation?

A proclamation is an official announcement issued by a government body, often used to recognize a date, occasion, or cause of public importance. In the context of Consent Awareness Week, a proclamation is a way to formally acknowledge the importance of conversations about consent, healthy relationships, and gender-based violence prevention.

Not all jurisdictions offer proclamations, and where available, individuals or organizations typically need to submit a formal request, often via an online form or written letter.

Proclamations are distinct from Private Members’ Bills. While proclamations can be requested by the public, a Private Members’ Bill must be introduced by a legislator in the provincial, territorial, or federal government. Bills have a greater long-term impact, as they can create permanent changes in law or policy. Proclamations, by contrast, are valid only for the specific year declared, but are powerful tools for raising awareness, mobilizing communities, and catalyzing education. They also have the advantage of being more directly accessible to the public. Read our Sample Bill for some language you can use to propose a Private Members’ Bill. 

How to Request a Proclamation

  1. Check Availability: Not all governments issue proclamations. Some have dedicated web pages or forms, while others may not accept public requests. Do some preliminary research, and when in doubt, reach out to your local government to inquire.

  2. Prepare a Request Letter or Form:

    • Introduce yourself and your connection to the cause.

    • Clearly state the name and dates for Consent Awareness Week - third week of September (Monday, September 15 to Friday, September 19, 2025).

    • Include proposed wording or key messages to be featured in the proclamation.

    • Emphasize the importance of consent education and gender-based violence prevention.

  3. Mind the Deadline: Submit your request at least 6–10 weeks in advance of the desired proclamation date to ensure it is considered.

  4. Follow Up: If there’s no public information available, send a letter asking about the process, and include your request details anyway—it may help open a dialogue.

After the Proclamation is Approved

Once you receive confirmation:

  • Share the news! Promote it across social media, local media outlets, and through your organization’s channels.

  • Engage your community: Encourage local schools, organizations, and service providers to plan events, workshops, or campaigns during the week.

  • Collaborate: Work with partners and supporters to amplify the proclamation’s message.

If Your Request is Rejected

Don’t be discouraged. Rejections can happen for many reasons unrelated to the merit of the cause. If feedback is provided, incorporate it into your future requests.

Where proclamations aren’t available, consider:

  • Hosting community events

  • Engaging in social media campaigns

  • Educating your networks and local leaders about Consent Awareness Week

Remember: Consent Awareness Week is a grassroots, community-powered initiative. The week’s impact lies in the conversations, education, and momentum it creates, not just official declarations.

Relevant Links and Resources

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Newfoundland

Ontario

Saskatchewan

Northwest Territories

Jocelyn Courneya
Previous

Courage to Act Foundation Launches Professional Training Series to Address and Prevent Sexual Harassment in Experiential Learning
Next

The Future of Safer STEM: Meet our National Student Advisory Council