Why Canadians Wear Pink to Stand Up to Bullying

If you or someone you know is suffering from a form of bullying, please call Canada's Kids Help Phone
1-800-668-6868.

If you’re seeing a sea of pink shirts today, there’s a powerful reason behind it.

Pink Shirt Day is more than just a colourful trend. It’s a nationwide movement that encourages kindness, inclusion, and standing up against bullying.

And the message couldn’t be more urgent.

Bullying remains a serious issue affecting young people across Canada. A staggering 71% of youth aged 12 to 17 have faced some form of bullying in the past year, with nearly half experiencing it on a regular basis. Whether it takes place at school, online, or even later in the workplace, the impact can last for years.

Here’s what Pink Shirt Day is all about and why it still matters ...

The Story Behind Pink Shirt Day

Pink Shirt Day began in 2007 in Berwick.

After a Grade 9 student was bullied for wearing a pink shirt, two fellow students decided to take action. David Shepherd and Travis Price bought dozens of pink shirts and handed them out to classmates in a show of solidarity.

The next day, the school was filled with students wearing pink.

What started as a small act of kindness quickly grew into a global anti-bullying movement.

Today, Pink Shirt Day is recognized across Canada and in countries around the world.

When Is Pink Shirt Day?

In Canada, Pink Shirt Day is observed on the last Wednesday of February each year. This year it falls on February 25, 2026.

The movement is supported nationally by organizations like Pink Shirt Day and CKNW Kids' Fund, which help fund anti-bullying programs and resources for schools and communities.

Why Pink?

Pink has become a symbol of solidarity.

Wearing pink sends a clear message: bullying is not okay. It also shows support for anyone who has been targeted, excluded, or made to feel unsafe.

It’s a simple action. But it can spark meaningful conversations.

And those conversations matter.

How You Can Take Part

Pink Shirt Day isn’t just for students.

Here are simple ways anyone can get involved:

• Wear pink to show your support.
• Talk to your kids about kindness and inclusion.
• Share resources on social media.
• Support anti-bullying organizations in your community.
• Speak up if you witness bullying.

Small actions can create real change.

Why This Day Still Matters

It’s easy to think bullying is just “part of growing up.”

It isn’t.

Creating safe spaces — in schools, online, and at work — requires ongoing effort. Pink Shirt Day is a reminder that kindness isn’t passive. It’s active. It’s intentional.

And sometimes, it starts with something as simple as putting on a pink shirt.

A Reminder That Kindness Is Powerful

Pink Shirt Day began with two students who decided not to stay silent.

Nearly two decades later, that message still resonates.

When communities come together to stand against bullying, they send a powerful signal to young people: you are not alone.

And that’s a message worth wearing proudly.