Movember 2026 in Canada: dates, how to join, what it funds

Movember runs from Nov. 1 to 30, 2026. In Canada, participants grow a moustache, run or walk 60 kilometres over the month, host an event or set their own challenge to raise money for men’s health, according to Movember Canada. The money funds work on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.

Movember Canada, a registered charity, sets out the ways to take part on its support page. The Canadian health figures in this guide come from the Canadian Cancer Society and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

This year’s campaign comes as Ottawa prepares Canada’s first federal strategy on the health of men and boys. Health Canada said in June that the strategy will be released in fall 2026.

Key facts

When is Movember 2026?

Movember takes place over the whole month of November, from Sunday, Nov. 1, to Monday, Nov. 30, 2026. Participants who grow a moustache traditionally start clean-shaven on Nov. 1. Sign-up is open on the Movember Canada website before and during the month, and donations are accepted year-round.

How do you take part in Movember?

Movember Canada lists four options, which it calls making a Growmitment.

Grow: grow a moustache for the month and ask friends, family and co-workers to sponsor it.

Move: run or walk 60 kilometres during November, in one go or spread over the month. Movember says the distance honours the 60 men lost to suicide around the world every hour.

Host: organize an event, such as a workplace challenge, a games night or a sports tournament, and collect donations.

Mo Your Own Way: set a personal challenge of your own and fundraise for it.

People who do not want to fundraise can donate directly, the charity says. Teams can sign up together, and Movember encourages participants to challenge friends to join them.

What does Movember fund?

Movember says it funds prevention-focused work across three areas: mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. On its about page, the charity says moustaches have funded more than AUD $1.8 billion in that work worldwide since it began more than two decades ago.

The charity says men die nearly five years earlier than women, mostly from preventable causes. A Movember Institute of Men’s Health and University of British Columbia report found that 75,000 Canadian men died prematurely in 2023, many from preventable causes, The Canadian Press reported in December 2025.

How common is prostate cancer in Canada?

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canadian men. The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that 29,300 men in Canada will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2026, or 23 per cent of all new cancer cases in men, and that 5,300 will die from it. On average, 80 men are diagnosed every day and 15 die every day, the society said. It estimates about one in nine Canadian men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime.

Access to the PSA blood test, often used to check for prostate cancer, varies by province. Our report on PSA test coverage in Ontario and B.C. explains when patients pay. Prostate cancer is also one of four cancers expected to make up nearly half of new cases this year, as our story on 2026 cancer projections reported.

How common is testicular cancer?

Testicular cancer is far less common but affects younger men. The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that 1,300 men in Canada will be diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2026, and that about 40 will die from it. Movember’s testicular cancer resources include guidance on self-checks and treatment.

Why does Movember focus on suicide prevention?

About 4,500 people die by suicide in Canada each year, and suicide rates are about three times higher among men than women, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Movember’s Move challenge is built around that issue.

Anyone in Canada who is thinking about suicide, or worried about someone, can call or text 9-8-8 at any time to reach the Suicide Crisis Helpline. In an emergency, call 911.

What is Canada’s men and boys’ health strategy?

Health Minister Marjorie Michel announced on June 2 that a national engagement process was complete and that Canada’s first Men and Boys’ Health Strategy would be released in fall 2026, according to a Health Canada news release. The department said the strategy will cover mental health, physical health, social connection, employment, education and other social determinants of health.

Canada News Media could not find a published strategy on Health Canada’s website as of Oct. 23. Michel first told The Canadian Press about the plan in a year-end interview in December 2025, after advocates, including Movember, called for one. Men are also urged to keep up with routine screening; our report on colorectal cancer screening at 45 covers one recommendation.

Frequently asked questions

When does Movember 2026 start and end?

It runs from Sunday, Nov. 1, to Monday, Nov. 30, 2026.

Do I have to grow a moustache to take part in Movember?

No. Movember Canada also lets people run or walk 60 km in November, host an event, set their own challenge, or simply donate.

Why is the Movember Move challenge 60 km?

Movember says the 60 km honours the 60 men lost to suicide around the world every hour.

What does Movember raise money for?

Prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.

How many Canadian men get prostate cancer?

The Canadian Cancer Society estimates 29,300 men in Canada will be diagnosed in 2026, and about one in nine men will develop it in their lifetime.

Is Movember Canada a registered charity?

Yes. Movember Canada lists registered charity number 84821 5604 RR0001.

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Sources: Movember Canada, Support us and About us; Canadian Cancer Society, prostate and testicular cancer statistics (2026 estimates); Public Health Agency of Canada, Suicide in Canada key statistics; Health Canada, June 2, 2026 news release; The Canadian Press, Dec. 23, 2025.