Ukrainian Heritage Month Act

Bill C-203, the Ukrainian Heritage Month Act, is a short, symbolic bill. It designates September of each year, across Canada, as "Ukrainian Heritage Month." It does not create any new programs, funding, obligations, or legal rights, and does not amend any other laws.

The bill's preamble explains the reasoning behind this designation, noting the arrival of the first Ukrainian immigrants to Canada in 1891, the more than 1.3 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent today, Canada's historical ties to Ukraine (including being the first Western country to recognize its independence in 1991), Canada's recognition of the Holodomor as a genocide, and Canada's support for Ukraine amid Russia's invasion. It states that Parliament wants to recognize and celebrate the contributions Ukrainian Canadians have made to the country's economic, political, social, and cultural life.

In practical terms, the only operative effect of the bill is the formal naming of September as a month to mark and celebrate Ukrainian heritage in Canada, similar to other heritage months already recognized by Parliament for other communities.

This bill designates September as "Ukrainian Heritage Month" and creates no new powers or duties.