An Act respecting Christian Heritage Month
Bill C-369 designates December as Christian Heritage Month nationally. Christianity remains the most-reported religion in Canada at approximately 53 percent of the population (19.4 million Canadians per the 2021 Statistics Canada census, down from 67 percent in 2011 as religious non-affiliation grew to 34.6 percent). The bill was sponsored by Conservative MP Lianne Rood (Lambton-Kent-Middlesex). Critics including the Canadian Secular Alliance argued that a national month for Christianity specifically (versus a broader Religious Heritage Month) inappropriately favoured one religious tradition in a pluralistic Canada. Did not pass second reading.
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Quick learn
Designates December each year as Christian Heritage Month at the federal level. Heritage-month bills create an official observance but do not impose any new program, spending, or legal obligation. Christianity remains the most-reported religion at 53 percent of Canadians (19.4 million per the 2021 census, down from 67 percent in 2011). The Canadian Secular Alliance and others argued a single-religion national month sits awkwardly in a pluralistic society. Did not pass second reading.
Issues this bill touches
- Arts, Culture & Heritage
Establishes Christian Heritage Month.
Legislative history
- First reading
First reading in the House of Commons.
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Official source
Read full text on Parliament of Canada