Albanian Heritage Month Act

Bill C-209, Albanian Heritage Month Act, november will be Albanian Heritage Month across Canada. It is at First reading as of June 12, 2025. Sponsored by Yvan Baker (Member of Parliament).

Status
First reading · June 12, 2025
Sponsor
Full Title:
An Act to establish Albanian Heritage Month

Summary#

This bill designates the month of November as “Albanian Heritage Month” across Canada. It is a symbolic recognition that aims to highlight the contributions of Albanian Canadians and the importance of November to Albanian history. The bill contains a short title and one operative clause that sets the designation; it does not create programs, funding, or legal obligations (Short Title; Albanian Heritage Month).

  • Establishes November as “Albanian Heritage Month” every year, nationwide (Albanian Heritage Month).
  • States Parliament’s intent to recognize and better inform Canadians about Albanian Canadians’ contributions (Preamble).
  • Notes November’s significance due to Albania’s Independence Day (November 28, 1912) and Liberation Day (November 29, 1944) (Preamble).
  • Creates no new duties, penalties, or regulations for individuals, businesses, or governments (Albanian Heritage Month).

What it means for you#

  • Households:
    • November will be officially known as “Albanian Heritage Month” once the Act becomes law. This is a designation only; it does not require participation or activities (Albanian Heritage Month).
  • Community groups and cultural organizations:
    • You may choose to hold events or campaigns in November under this designation. The bill does not provide funding or mandate events (Albanian Heritage Month).
  • Businesses:
    • No new legal or compliance requirements. Any observance would be voluntary (Albanian Heritage Month).
  • Schools and post-secondary institutions:
    • No curriculum or program requirements are created by the bill (Albanian Heritage Month).
  • Federal, provincial, and municipal governments:
    • No requirement to issue proclamations, host events, or spend funds. The designation is national in scope but does not bind other orders of government to act (Albanian Heritage Month).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: Data unavailable; the bill text includes no appropriations, taxes, fees, or mandated programs.

  • Explicit appropriations in bill text: None (Short Title; Albanian Heritage Month).
  • New mandates on federal departments or agencies: None specified (Albanian Heritage Month).
  • Official fiscal note: Data unavailable.

Proponents' View#

  • Recognition and education: Formal designation helps recognize Albanian Canadians’ economic, political, social, and cultural contributions and aims to better inform Canadians (Preamble).
  • Historical relevance: November aligns with Albania’s Independence Day and Liberation Day, giving the observance clear historical timing (Preamble).
  • Administrative simplicity: The bill only names a month and imposes no new obligations, implying minimal administrative burden (Albanian Heritage Month).
  • Community visibility: Supporters expect the designation will encourage voluntary community and educational activities, though the bill does not require them (assumption noted).

Opponents' View#

  • Symbolic only: The bill does not change policy, create programs, or allocate funds, so practical impact may be limited (Albanian Heritage Month).
  • Legislative priority: Some may argue House time spent on symbolic designations could be used on bills with measurable outcomes. Data unavailable.
  • Expectations without funding: The designation could raise expectations for government programming or grants in November, but the bill provides none (assumption noted).
  • Uneven observance: Because no level of government is required to act, recognition may vary by region or institution (Albanian Heritage Month).