Bill C-268

Lebanese Heritage Month Act

An Act to designate the month of November as Lebanese Heritage Month

This enactment designates the month of November as “Lebanese Heritage Month”.

Holiday Greetings

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, as we prepare to return to our ridings and families, I rise to give thanks today to my children, all of my extended family, my staff Anthony, Conor, Chris and Sam, all of my interns, and all who have worked to support me and the residents of Halifax West.

I would also like to thank all those who help us on the Hill: the Private Members' Business Office, our committee clerks and all of the analysts and interpreters.

I also offer thanks to the offices of our whips, House leaders and pages.

To all my fellow MPs and my Senate colleagues from all parties, I want to say the following.

I look forward to working together in 2023, and especially as Bill S-246 passes and proceeds to this place. It is a perfect complement to my own Bill C-268 respecting Lebanese heritage month.

I wish everyone the blessings of the season. Let us spread kindness, compassion and love.

I wish my colleagues a joyeux Noël and happy new year.

Lebanese Heritage Month

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, in Nova Scotia and in Ontario, November is officially recognized as Lebanese Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the generations of cultural, economic and civic contributions of Lebanese Canadians.

November holds great significance for Lebanese people all over the world as independence day, Eid Al-Istiqlal, is celebrated on the 22nd.

In my own province, the Lebanese presence dates back to the 1800s.

In 2018, I was part of the provincial government that proclaimed November as Lebanese Heritage Month.

Again, this year, celebrations will be held from Yarmouth to Halifax to Sydney. I am proud to have introduced Bill C-268 to recognize Lebanese Heritage Month nationally and honour, share and celebrate our culture.

I am equally proud to work with Senator Jane Cordy on Bill S-246 to do the same. I encourage all members to mark Lebanese Heritage Month in their communities, join our parliamentary friendship group and support these important bills.

Lebanese Heritage Month Act

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

, seconded by the member for Edmonton Manning, moved for leave to introduce Bill C-268, An Act to designate the month of November as Lebanese Heritage Month.

She said: Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise in the House of Commons to introduce my private member's bill on behalf of Lebanese Canadians, and all Canadians, in recognition of the value and contribution the Lebanese have made to Canada's social, economic, cultural and political development.

For generations and throughout the country, Lebanese immigrants and their descendants have worked hard and given back, all while honouring their language and their culture.

I introduce this bill in memory of my father Steven Wadih Metlege, who passed away in 2018. He came to this country in his twenties with no assurances, just the desire to work hard and do right by his family. His story mirrors that of so many Lebanese Canadians. Passing this bill would be a part of his legacy and that of all Lebanese-Canadian trailblazers, past and present.

I will quote Khalil Gibran, who wrote, “Deep is your longing for the land of your memories and the dwelling place of your greater desires; and our love would not bind you nor our needs hold you.” This speaks to the Lebanese experience, the love of the homeland and an embrace of our chosen country.

[Member spoke in Arabic and provided the following translation:]

Lebanon will remain in our hearts and will last.

[English]

Let us all join in supporting the designation of November as Lebanese Heritage Month.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)