Bill C-646

2nd Session, 41st Parliament,

62-63 Elizabeth II, 2013-2014

house of commons of canada

BILL C-646

An Act to designate the month of October as Hispanic Heritage Month

Whereas the Parliament of Canada recognizes that the Hispanic population of Canada represents an important social group, with almost 900,000 people, in 2011, declaring Spanish as their native language 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% of them 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:

SHORT TITLE

1. This Act may be cited as the Hispanic Heritage Month Act.

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

2. Throughout Canada, in each and every year, the month of October is to be known as “Hispanic Heritage Month”.