Designate December as Christian Heritage Month

Summary#

This bill would designate the month of December each year as “Christian Heritage Month” across Canada. It is a symbolic recognition. The bill does not create programs, spending, penalties, or rights. The preamble cites Canada’s historical references to Christianity and 2021 census data (Preamble; Statistics Canada, 2021 Census).

• December would be known nationwide as “Christian Heritage Month” (Bill, Christian Heritage Month).
• No new holiday is created; no changes to work or school schedules (Bill text).
• No duties are placed on governments, businesses, or residents (Bill text).
• Rationale cited: December includes Advent and Christmas; Christianity is the largest religion; and historical references to “Dominion of Canada” (Preamble).

What it means for you#

• Households:

  • No changes to taxes, benefits, or public services. The bill only names December as Christian Heritage Month (Bill text).
  • No new statutory holiday is created (Bill text).

• Workers:

  • Work schedules and leave rules do not change. The bill adds no holiday or entitlement (Bill text).

• Businesses and non-profits:

  • No required observances, reporting, or costs. The bill imposes no mandates (Bill text).

• Federal, provincial, and local governments:

  • No required programs, proclamations, or spending. The bill only sets a designation (Bill text).
  • The designation would apply each year after the bill becomes law (Bill, Christian Heritage Month).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: Data unavailable; the bill includes no appropriations or mandated spending (Bill text).

• No fiscal note published. Data unavailable.
• No direct spending is authorized in the bill (Bill text).
• No new fees or taxes are created (Bill text).

Proponents' View#

• Recognition of heritage: The bill highlights Christian contributions to Canada’s history and culture (Preamble).
• Alignment with the calendar: December includes key Christian observances from Advent to Christmas (Preamble).
• Demographic basis: Christianity is the largest religion in Canada; over half of Canadians identified as Christian in 2021 (Preamble; Statistics Canada, 2021 Census).
• Limited scope: The bill is symbolic and does not impose practices or costs (Bill text).

Opponents' View#

• State neutrality concern: Designating a month for one religion could be seen as favoring that faith, raising issues under the state’s duty of religious neutrality recognized by the Supreme Court (2015 SCC 16).
• Inclusion concern: The designation may make non‑Christian Canadians feel excluded; in 2021, 34.6% reported no religion and 12.1% reported non‑Christian religions (Statistics Canada, 2021 Census).
• Redundancy: December is already a period with major Christian observances; critics may question the need for added statutory recognition (Preamble).
• No measurable impact: Because the bill has no programs or mandates, critics may see it as purely symbolic with limited public benefit (Bill text).