An Act to establish Turkish Heritage Month
Bill C-384 designates May as Turkish Heritage Month nationally. Approximately 71,950 Canadians reported Turkish origin on the 2021 Statistics Canada census, concentrated in Toronto (Beaches and Danforth areas), Montreal, and Vancouver. Turkish immigration to Canada began primarily in the 1960s with skilled-worker and family-class waves, and accelerated after the 2016 Turkish coup attempt. The Toronto-based Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations has lobbied for federal recognition since 2018. The bill was sponsored by Conservative MP Sefer Senocak (Brampton North); similar proposals have been before Parliament since 2019. Did not pass second reading.
Status
Quick learn
Designates May each year as Turkish Heritage Month at the federal level. Heritage-month bills create an official observance but do not impose any new program, spending, or legal obligation. About 71,950 Canadians reported Turkish origin on the 2021 census, concentrated in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Turkish-Canadian groups have lobbied for federal recognition since 2018. Did not pass second reading.
Issues this bill touches
- Arts, Culture & Heritage
Establishes Turkish 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