Bill C-406

2nd Session, 40th Parliament,

57-58 Elizabeth II, 2009

house of commons of canada

BILL C-406

An Act to recognize Pedro da Silva as Canada's first officially commissioned letter carrier

Whereas Pedro da Silva, a Portuguese trapper and carter living in the colony of New France, was commissioned to transport a packet of letters from Québec to Montréal in 1693;

Whereas Pedro da Silva would become Canada’s first officially commissioned letter carrier by virtue of his appointment as “first courier” in 1705;

Whereas Pedro da Silva would become known as “the Portuguese” and would spend the rest of his life delivering official dispatches and private mail throughout the colony;

And whereas, in honour of the 56th anniversary of officially sponsored Portuguese immigration to Canada, the Government of Canada now wishes to recognize the many contributions made by Pedro da Silva and the Portuguese-Canadian Community;

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

SHORT TITLE

1. This Act may be cited as the Pedro da Silva Recognition Act.

DESIGNATION OF PARK OR MONUMENT

2. The Minister of Canadian Heritage shall, in consultation with the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, take measures to designate a national park or a monument to be named in recognition of Pedro da Silva.