Summary#
This bill makes September “Ukrainian Heritage Month” across Canada every year. It is a commemorative designation. It does not create programs, funding, or legal obligations. The preamble notes the size of the Ukrainian-Canadian community and its contributions to Canada.
- Names September as Ukrainian Heritage Month nationwide each year (Bill Section 2).
- Recognizes the history and contributions of more than 1.3 million Ukrainian-Canadians (Preamble).
- Creates an annual opportunity to remember, celebrate, and educate about Ukrainian heritage (Preamble).
- Does not mandate events, curricula, funding, or regulations (Bill Sections 1–2).
- Takes effect on Royal Assent and recurs annually.
What it means for you#
- Households and communities: September will be an officially recognized month to mark Ukrainian culture and history. Participation in events, if any, is voluntary. No new benefits or duties start (Bill Section 2).
- Schools and cultural organizations: There is no requirement to teach new content or hold events. Any activities would be optional and based on existing plans or resources (Bill Section 2).
- Businesses: No compliance duties, reporting, or costs are created. Businesses may choose to acknowledge the month in their communications, but the bill does not require it (Bill Section 2).
- Federal, provincial, and municipal governments: No mandated programs, spending, or reporting. Public institutions may choose to issue statements or host events at their discretion (Bill Section 2).
- Service users: The bill does not change access to services, immigration rules, or funding. Daily services continue as before (Bill Sections 1–2).
Expenses#
Estimated net cost: Data unavailable; the bill includes no appropriations, fees, or mandated spending (Bill Sections 1–2).
- Direct appropriations in the bill: None (Bill text).
- New taxes or fees: None (Bill text).
- Mandated activities for departments or agencies: None (Bill text).
- Discretionary communications or event costs by institutions: Data unavailable.
Proponents' View#
- Formal recognition honors the history and ongoing contributions of over 1.3 million Ukrainian-Canadians to Canada’s social, economic, political, and cultural life (Preamble).
- September is historically significant as the first recorded arrival month of Ukrainians to Canada over 125 years ago, making the timing meaningful (Preamble).
- A national designation creates a clear, recurring opportunity to celebrate and educate the public about Ukrainian heritage in communities across the country (Preamble; Bill Section 2).
- The measure is low-cost because it sets a designation only and does not require new programs or spending (Bill Sections 1–2).
- The act aligns with Canadian commitments to human rights, democracy, and international law, reinforcing shared values (Preamble).
Opponents' View#
- The bill is symbolic only; it creates no enforceable rights, programs, or funding, so outcomes depend entirely on voluntary actions (Bill Sections 1–2).
- Without a coordinating body, standards, or reporting, observance may be uneven across institutions and regions, and impact will be hard to measure (Bill Section 2).
- Public bodies could face small, discretionary communications or event costs if they choose to participate, with no guidance on scope or priorities; potential opportunity costs are unknown (Data unavailable).
- Legislative time spent on commemorative designations may not address immediate service or policy needs; the bill includes no provisions that change services, benefits, or regulations (Bill Sections 1–2).