An Act to designate the month of March as Hellenic Heritage Month
Bill S-220 designates March as Hellenic Heritage Month. Approximately 262,135 Canadians reported Greek origin on the 2021 Statistics Canada census, concentrated in Toronto (the Danforth's Greektown), Montreal (Park Extension), and Vancouver. Greek immigration to Canada began in the 1820s with the first sailors and merchants, accelerated after WWII (1947-1965) with roughly 100,000 arrivals, and continued through the 1980s. The Hellenic Heritage Foundation has lobbied for federal recognition since 2014. Ontario formally established Greek Heritage Month in 2016 (Bill 12).
Status
Quick learn
Would designate March as Hellenic Heritage Month, recognizing the roughly 262,000 Canadians of Greek origin. A symbolic recognition bill (reintroduces the 44th Parliament's S-259).
Issues this bill touches
- Arts, Culture & Heritage
Designates March as Hellenic Heritage Month.
Legislative history
- First reading
First reading in the Senate.
View source - Second reading
Second reading in the Senate.
View source
Official source
Read full text on Parliament of Canada