Ottawa, Ontario, Oct. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On October 27, 2023, more than 35 iconic buildings and landmarks across Canada will light up blue in a show of support for World Occupational Therapy Day, an international day of awareness to acknowledge the work done by occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapist assistants (OTAs). World Occupational Therapy Day promotes and celebrates the profession locally, nationally, and internationally, and the meaningful differences that OTs and OTAs make in the lives of their clients.
First launched in 2010 by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), World Occupational Therapy Day has become an important date as it falls in October, which is celebrated as Occupational Therapy Month in Canada. WFOT’s theme for this year is “Unity through Community” to globally promote the roles of OTs and OTAs in working together with others to facilitate participation and community interaction.
Some of the landmarks that will light up across the country include BC Place Stadium and Science World in Vancouver, BC; Reconciliation Bridge in Calgary and High Level Bridge in Edmonton in Alberta; Regina City Hall and Nutrien Tower in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; IG Field in Winnipeg, Manitoba; the CN Tower in Toronto, the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie, and the Quinte West sign in Ontario; the House of Assembly and Province House in Halifax, Nova Scotia; and the Confederation Building and St. John’s City Hall in Newfoundland.
"We are honoured to have the hard work and dedication of the 20,000 OTs and OTAs across Canada recognized by so many iconic landmarks," says Phillip Wendt, President of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. “Illuminating buildings, bridges, and signs in blue brilliantly symbolizes the tremendous impact OTs and OTAs make to improve the health and wellbeing of Canadians by working in partnership with people and communities and helping them participate more fully in activities that are important to their everyday lives.”
The full list of 36 landmarks to be illuminated across the country in recognition of World Occupational Therapy Day include:
Alberta
High Level Bridge, Edmonton (Oct. 27)
Reconciliation Bridge, Calgary (Oct. 26)
Red Deer City Hall, Red Deer (Oct. 26)
Saline Creek Pedestrian Bridge, Wood Buffalo (Oct. 26)
Sylvan Lake Lighthouse, Sylvan Lake (Oct. 27)
British Columbia
BC Place Stadium, Vancouver (Oct. 27)
Science World, Vancouver (Oct. 27)
Manitoba
Esplanade Riel, Winnipeg (Oct. 27)
IG Field, Winnipeg (Oct. 27)
WINNIPEG sign, Winnipeg (Oct. 27)
New Brunswick
Downing Street, Moncton (Oct. 27)
Downtown Place, Moncton (Oct. 27)
Newfoundland and Labrador
City Hall, St. John’s (Oct. 27)
Confederation Building, St. John’s (Oct. 27)
Nova Scotia
House of Assembly, Halifax (Oct. 26)
Province House, Halifax (Oct. 26)
Ontario
Brampton Clock Tower, Brampton (Oct. 26)
CN Tower, Toronto (Oct. 27)
Collingwood Clock Tower, Collingwood (Oct. 30)
Guelph Market Square (Oct. 28)
Hamilton sign, Hamilton (Oct. 27)
JA Taylor building, London (Oct. 25)
Kingston City Hall, Kingston (Oct. 26)
London City Hall, London (Oct. 25)
Market Square, Kingston (Oct. 26)
Mississauga Clock Tower, Mississauga (Oct. 26)
Oakville Town Hall, Oakville (Oct. 30)
OTTAWA sign, Ottawa (Oct. 27)
Peace Bridge, Fort Erie (Oct. 26)
RBC Place, London (Oct. 25)
Riverwalk Commons, Newmarket (Oct. 27)
Quinte West Sign, Quinte West (Oct. 27)
Vaughan City Hall, Vaughan (Oct. 26)
Veterans Skyway Bridge, Trenton (Oct. 27)
Saskatchewan
Regina City Hall, Regina (Oct. 26)
Nutrien Tower, Saskatoon – (Oct. 27)
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About the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) is a national organization that supports more than 20,000 occupational therapists (OTs), occupational therapist assistants (OTAs), and students who work or study in Canada. We provide resources, services, and learning opportunities that assist OTs in achieving excellence in their professional practice. Additionally, CAOT provides leadership in the development and promotion of the occupational therapy profession in Canada and internationally.
