Designate Canadian Chinese Heritage Month

AI summary

Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to officially designate February as Canadian Chinese Heritage Month to recognize Chinese Canadians’ contributions, acknowledge historical injustices, and affirm Canada’s commitment to multiculturalism. The government responds that it recognizes these contributions and injustices, notes Asian Heritage Month in May and Lunar New Year observances, and funds related heritage programs.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the House of Commons We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following: Whereas: There are over 1.8 million people of Chinese descent in Canada, representing one of the largest and most established communities within the country; Chinese Canadians have played an essential role in shaping Canada's social fabric since the 1800s, contributing significantly to major nation-building projects, such as the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway; Chinese Canadians have experienced a distinct history of systemic exclusion and discrimination, through mechanisms such as the Chinese Head Tax and the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923, which separated families and marginalized entire communities; Across Canada, Chinese Canadian cultural traditions and celebrations - such as Lunar New Year, Dragon Boat Race, and the Mid-Autumn Festival, among others - enrich the multicultural fabric of Canadian society and promote cross-cultural understanding; The first elected visible minority Member of Parliament was a Chinese Canadian in 1957, and the first non-Indigenous or white NHL hockey player was a Chinese Canadian in 1948; February is an important period for Chinese communities because of the cultural significance of Lunar New Year, making it a meaningful and appropriate time for recognition; Asian Heritage Month - while recognizing the diversity of Asian communities in Canada - does not fully capture the unique historical experiences, cultural heritage, and contributions of Chinese Canadians; Officially designating a Canadian Chinese Heritage Month at a national level would provide an opportunity for education, reflection, and celebration, helping to strengthen inclusion and understanding; Therefore, we, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: Officially designate February as Canadian Chinese Heritage Month in Canada in recognition of the contributions of Chinese Canadians, the hardships that they have faced, and Canada's constitutional commitment to multiculturalism.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages Signed by The Honourable Marc Miller The Government of Canada would like to thank petitioners for expressing their interest in declaring the month of February as Canadian Chinese Heritage Month. Diversity is one of Canada’s greatest strengths. The Government of Canada is committed to building a safe and inclusive country where all individuals feel welcome, regardless of their background. The Government recognizes the important role that Chinese Canadians have played in shaping Canada’s social, cultural, political and economic life. Since the 1800s, Chinese Canadians have contributed significantly to Canada’s development through major nation-building projects such as the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The Government also recognizes the historical injustices experienced by Chinese Canadians including the Chinese Head Tax and the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923. These discriminatory policies caused profound hardship and have had lasting impacts across generations. The Government has formally recognized these injustices, including through the 2006 apology delivered in the House of Commons, and continues to support initiatives that promote awareness, education, and reconciliation. Canada currently celebrates Asian Heritage Month each May, which provides an opportunity to honor the rich diversity and contributions of Canadians of Asian descent, including Chinese Canadians. In addition, cultural observances such as Lunar New Year are widely recognized and celebrated across the country, reflecting their importance to many communities. The Government is committed to promoting inclusion, combating racism, and supporting initiatives that recognize the unique heritage of all communities. Through programs under Canadian Heritage, the Government funds community-based projects that celebrate cultural heritage and increase public awareness of historical contributions and experiences. Commemorative months help strengthen social cohesion by fostering a greater sense of belonging and pride among Canadians of each respective community. The Government has previously supported legislation and motions establishing commemorative and heritage months recognizing the contributions of diverse ethnocultural communities in Canada. For more information on the recognition of special days, weeks, and months, we invite you to consult the following Government of Canada publication entitled Designation of National Days and Observance in Canada. The document describes the processes by which a day, week or month may be recognized in Canada. It also describes the difference between observances that are legal holidays, where employees are paid for time off, and those that receive symbolic recognition, with particular attention to designations at the federal level. The Government is committed to advancing multiculturalism by fostering the recognition and appreciation of the cultural and racial diversity of Canadian society, promoting the reflection and evolving expressions of those cultures, and ensuring that all Canadians see themselves in the country’s shared history and identity, as entrenched in the Canadian Multiculturalism Act since its adoption in 1988.