Summary#
This bill designates the month of October, every year, as “Hungarian Heritage Month” across Canada. It is a symbolic recognition. The text includes a short title and a clause naming the month; it creates no programs, duties, or penalties (Short Title; Designation).
- Sets October as Hungarian Heritage Month nationwide (Designation).
- Recognizes historical contributions of Hungarian Canadians and the 1956 revolution (Preamble).
- Does not require any government action, spending, or reporting (bill text contains no mandates).
- Applies every year, across Canada (Designation).
What it means for you#
- Households
- No action required. The bill only names October as Hungarian Heritage Month (Designation).
- Community and cultural organizations
- You may choose to hold events in October under this national recognition. The bill does not fund or mandate events (Designation).
- Businesses
- No compliance requirements or new rules (bill text contains no mandates).
- Federal departments and agencies
- No required programs or reports. Any observance activities would be optional (Designation).
- Provinces, territories, municipalities, and schools
- No legal obligations. The federal designation does not require sub‑national bodies or schools to change curricula or schedules (bill text contains no mandates).
Expenses#
Estimated net cost: CAD $0 appropriated; any discretionary observance activities, if undertaken by departments, have unknown costs (Data unavailable).
- No fiscal note published. Data unavailable.
- The bill contains no appropriations, taxes, fees, or spending authorities (Short Title; Designation).
- Any government communications or events would be discretionary; no amounts are specified. Data unavailable.
Proponents' View#
- Recognition affirms the contributions of more than 350,000 people of Hungarian or Magyar descent in Canada (Preamble).
- October aligns with the October 23, 1956 Hungarian revolution, highlighting themes of freedom and democracy (Preamble).
- A named month provides a clear national focal point for education and cultural events, without creating new mandates (Designation).
- Supports goodwill with Hungary and marks over half a century of diplomatic relations since June 11, 1964 (Preamble).
- Low cost to the federal government because the bill does not create programs or funding (bill text contains no appropriations).
Opponents' View#
- The bill is purely symbolic and may have limited practical impact because it creates no programs, measures, or outcomes (Designation).
- Adds to the growing number of commemorative designations, which could dilute public attention across months. Assumes limited public bandwidth; no measured data provided.
- Could lead to informal expectations for federal grants or events, but the bill provides none, creating a gap between recognition and resources (Designation).
- May require minor administrative time for communications or event planning within departments if they choose to observe; costs are unknown (Data unavailable).