Celebrating Mother’s Day in Canada: My Journey as an Immigrant Mom

Mother’s Day in Canada is around the corner, and it’s a beautiful time to celebrate the moms in your life, including grandmothers, stepmoms, and family friends! It’s a day to send wishes and to show gratitude and honour. It’s even more meaningful for immigrant moms, as are my special memories celebrating my first Mother’s Day in Canada!

When is Mother’s Day 2026 in Canada?

In 2026, Mother’s Day in Canada falls on Sunday, May 10.

It always falls on the second Sunday of May. The celebration dates back to 1907 when the American schoolteacher Anna Jarvis organized the first Mother’s Day in honour of her late mother.

While it is not a public or statutory holiday, it became an official celebration in 1915, and Canadians have since embraced this special day. If you are looking for the official day when Canadians get a day off to spend with loved ones, check out our guide, Is Family Day a Statutory Holiday in Canada?

My Fond Experience

Immigrant parents do not have it easy, especially once their children start school in Canada. Trying to figure out the Canadian school system and learning school rules, both spoken and unspoken, helping their children with homework, and trying to make their friends welcome at home. All this adds to the challenges of the first few years of getting settled in Canada.

Not all countries celebrate Mother’s Day, and those that do celebrate it do so differently. I came from Europe, and the most similar holiday was International Women’s Day on March 8th. On that day, children traditionally present their mothers with flowers and cards. While March 8th remains an important day for many of us to celebrate women’s achievements globally, May 10th in Canada offers a more personal opportunity to focus on the unique bond of family.

🏠 Navigating the 2026 Rental Market as a Newcomer Mother

Navigating the Canadian rental market is often the first and biggest challenge for newcomers. To help you find a soft landing and a place to create your own Mother’s Day memories, we’ve put together two essential resources: The Newcomer’s Rental Application Guide, a step-by-step checklist that will help you stand out to landlords, and our upcoming webinar, Renting Your First Home in Canada.

Memories of My First Mother’s Day in Canada

When I immigrated to Canada 16 years ago, my children started their first school year. I was overwhelmed by school and social requirements, parental responsibilities, and the challenge of making my kids’ transition to a new country as smooth as possible.

How wonderful and sweet was my first Mother’s Day! My children made beautiful cards for me and attempted to make a special breakfast. I was very touched, as any mom would be.

There have been many celebrations since then. My children have grown up, so now we spend the holiday doing something special together. We’ll hike the North Shore trails, visit the art gallery, or picnic on one of Vancouver’s beaches, weather permitting. They still make beautiful cards for me, which I treasure. 

As a daughter, I adopted this tradition, and every Mother’s Day, I spend special time on a video call with my mother, who lives in Europe. She thinks this is the kindest tradition reflecting Canadian culture and the importance of family ties.

Canadian Mother’s Day Traditions

In Canada, children create handmade gifts and cards, present their mothers with flowers, and often make a “breakfast in bed.” Children start learning about Mother’s Day as early as kindergarten, where teachers help them make crafts and discuss ways to show appreciation.

Children in Canada usually call their mothers Mom or Mum; both spellings are correct. While the North American “Mom” is predominant, the British “Mum” is common too. And of course, there are Mama, Maman, Mommy, Mumzee and other variations that reflect Canada’s beautiful diversity.

Grown children spend quality time together with their mothers to make this day special. There is no one-size-fits-all recipe; everything depends on family traditions.

Wishes to Immigrant Moms

For immigrant mothers, this celebration carries an extra layer of meaning. Being part of this celebration reflects that you are successfully integrating into life in Canada and its traditions. That is certainly a great feeling! 

I’ve learned that being a mom in Canada is about striking a balance. We encourage our children to immerse themselves in Canadian traditions, such as Mother’s Day, without letting go of our own cultural touchstones. Embracing this day is about finding common ground between the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ for our children.

Celebrating Mother’s Day is a wonderful way to start feeling ‘home’ here. Before you know it, the school year will be ending, and you’ll be gearing up for the next big milestone: Canada Day. Just like Mother’s Day, it’s a day full of traditions that help you connect to your new community.

Wishing Happy Mother’s Day to all moms! If this is your first celebration in Canada, enjoy this beautiful tradition. Create special memories with your children and the moms in your life to treasure forever.

Common Questions About Mother’s Day in Canada