This enactment designates the month of October in each and every year as “Hispanic Heritage Month”.

Preamble

Whereas the Parliament of Canada recognizes that the Hispanic population of Canada represents an important social group, with almost 900,000 people declaring Spanish as their native language in 2011 and reporting Latin-American and Spanish origins;

Whereas, in 2002, 82% of those who reported a Latin-American heritage felt a strong sense of belonging to Canada, and 57% had the same feeling towards their Hispanic ethnic and social group;

Whereas encouraging social and cultural development within and outside of a vibrant and culturally diverse Hispanic Canadian community is important for the future of the Canadian economy;

And whereas providing national opportunities for Hispanic populations in Canada to share and promote their unique culture and traditions with Canadians would encourage social unity;

Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: