November Becomes National Immigration Month

Summary#

This bill would designate the month of November as “National Immigration Month” across Canada. It is a symbolic recognition meant to celebrate immigrants’ contributions and educate the public. The text creates a title and a designation and does not change any programs, rules, or benefits (Short Title; National Immigration Month).

• Applies every year, nationwide, and names November as National Immigration Month (Clause 2).
• Creates no new rights, duties, or programs; it is a designation only (Clause 2).
• Does not amend immigration laws or procedures (Preamble; no amendments in text).
• Does not create a statutory holiday or paid time off (no holiday language in text).
• Aligns with existing Francophone Immigration Week in November and the November 1, 2001 IRPA royal assent date (Preamble).

What it means for you#

• Households and residents

  • No change to daily life, benefits, or paperwork. The bill only names November as National Immigration Month (Clause 2).
  • You may see voluntary public messages or community events in November. The bill does not require them.

• Immigrants and community organizations

  • Provides a recognized month to plan events, storytelling, or outreach. Participation would be voluntary; no funding is provided in the bill (Clause 2).
  • No change to immigration status, services, or application processes.

• Workers and employers

  • No new employment standards or paid leave. The bill does not create a holiday or closures (no holiday language in text).

• Schools and educators

  • No mandatory curriculum or activities. Any classroom or school events would be voluntary. Education authority remains with provinces/territories; the federal bill does not impose requirements.

• Federal, provincial, and municipal governments

  • No mandatory programs, reports, or timelines. Governments may choose to issue proclamations or communications, but the bill does not require action (Clause 2).

• People using immigration services

  • No change to application rules, processing, fees, or service levels. The bill does not amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: Data unavailable; the bill contains no appropriations or mandates (Clause 2).

• No fiscal note published. Data unavailable.
• No appropriations, taxes, fees, or grants appear in the text (Clause 2).
• No reporting, staffing, or compliance requirements in the text.
• Any voluntary communications or events by departments, if undertaken, would use existing resources; specific amounts are not identified. Data unavailable.

Proponents' View#

• Recognizes and celebrates immigrants’ contributions to Canada’s social, cultural, and economic life, aligning with the bill’s stated purpose (Preamble; Clause 2).
• Establishes a clear, recurring focal point in November to coordinate public education and community events (Clause 2).
• Complements existing National Francophone Immigration Week in November and the November 1 anniversary of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act’s royal assent, offering thematic alignment (Preamble).
• Imposes no new legal duties or costs because it is a designation only, not a program or mandate (Clause 2).
• Provides a simple tool for schools, employers, and community groups to organize voluntary recognition without changing laws or policies (Clause 2).

Opponents' View#

• Delivers symbolic recognition but no concrete policy change to admissions, settlement services, or processing times (no amendments in text).
• Adds another observance to an already crowded calendar, which may dilute attention to existing recognitions (Preamble notes many recognized days/weeks/months).
• Overlaps with National Francophone Immigration Week in November, which could cause message or scheduling confusion (Preamble).
• Could create expectations for departments and agencies to run campaigns or events without dedicated resources; actual resource plans are unspecified (Clause 2; Data unavailable).
• May divert limited public or organizational attention from operational issues in immigration (e.g., service backlogs), since the bill focuses on commemoration rather than service changes (no operational provisions in text).