Message from Barb Whitenect, CASW President:
Hello everyone!
As we welcome 2026, we step into an extraordinary milestone for our profession and our national community. This year marks 100 years of the Canadian Association of Social Workers, a century of leadership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to social justice and the wellbeing of individuals, and communities across Canada.
A hundred years gives us much to celebrate, but it also calls us to reflect with honesty. Our profession has contributed to meaningful change, expanded social supports, and championed human rights. Yet our history also includes significant harms, harms that disproportionately impacted Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, and disabled communities.
Throughout 2026, CASW will celebrate this anniversary with the theme: Reflecting On Our Past, Reimagining Our Future.
This theme guides us as we reflect on the evolution of social work, uplift the voices and leadership shaping our profession today, and envision the next 100 years grounded in equity, and reconciliation.
To every social worker across the country: thank you. Thank you for your dedication, your compassion, and your enduring commitment to the values that strengthen our communities. Your work matters. It always has, and it always will.
I am honoured to celebrate this milestone year with you. Here’s to a meaningful, inspiring, and impactful 2026, and to the next 100 years of CASW in Canada.