National Bird of Canada Act

Bill S-221, the National Bird of Canada Act, is a short, symbolic bill that does one thing: it officially declares the Canada jay (Perisoreus canadensis) to be the national bird of Canada. It does not create any new rules, programs, funding, or legal obligations for citizens, businesses, or government agencies.

The bill's preamble explains the reasoning behind the choice. It notes that Canada currently has no official bird, unlike all its provinces and territories and many other countries. It highlights that the Canada jay lives year-round across all ten provinces and three territories, has deep historical ties to Indigenous peoples and early settlers, trappers, and explorers, and is known by names like "whiskey jack" (derived from the Cree word wîskicahk). It also notes the bird is not endangered, hunted, or considered a pest, and is not already the official symbol of any other country, province, or state.

In practical terms, once passed, the Act simply gives the Canada jay official national symbolic status, similar to how the beaver is recognized as a national symbol. There are no penalties, regulations, or changes to how anyone can interact with the bird — it is purely a designation of national identity and pride.

This bill creates no new powers or duties; it simply declares the Canada jay to be the national bird of Canada, a symbolic designation with no regulatory or legal effect.