Bill C-635

2nd Session, 41st Parliament,

62-63 Elizabeth II, 2013-2014

house of commons of canada

BILL C-635

An Act to establish Latin-American Heritage Day

Whereas the members of the Latin-American community are a visible minority that arrived in Canada relatively recently;

Whereas this community is extremely economically, politically, religiously and ethnically heterogeneous, and its members come from over twenty countries;

Whereas the members of that community are established throughout Canada and, since their arrival, have played a major role, including in the development of the arts, economics, politics, science and community agencies in Canada;

Whereas a number of Canadian municipalities and provinces have instituted a day to recognize the Latin-American community;

Whereas there is a growing demand from members of that community to be recognized and participate in political life;

And whereas Canada wants to strengthen and encourage the participation of all members of Canadian society of immigrant origin in public life;

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

SHORT TITLE

1. This Act may be cited as the Latin-American Heritage Day Act.

LATIN-AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY

2. Throughout Canada, in each and every year, the 5th day of October is to be known as “Latin-American Heritage Day”.

3. For greater certainty, Latin-American Heritage Day is not a legal holiday or a non-juridical day.