Bill C-477 (Historical)

Pedro da Silva Recognition Act

An Act to recognize Pedro da Silva as Canada’s first officially commissioned letter carrier

This bill was last introduced in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session, which ended in September 2008.

Sponsor

Mario Silva  Liberal

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Outside the Order of Precedence (a private member's bill that hasn't yet won the draw that determines which private member's bills can be debated), as of Nov. 16, 2007
(This bill did not become law.)

Summary

This is from the published bill.

The purpose of this enactment is to recognize Pedro da Silva as Canada’s first officially commissioned letter carrier.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from the Library of Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

February 24th, 2009 / 9:55 a.m.


See context

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley, BC

Chair, as Mr. McGuinty pointed out.... I'm actually quite encouraged by his high expectations of this government. We do have a reputation for getting things done, and we actually worked with Mr. Godfrey to get Bill C-474 through. We are committed to accountability and sustainable development and a cleaner environment.

As for the requirement for reporting to be done by the government, should the committee at this point undertake a critique of that reporting, I think it would be premature. We have a Commissioner of the Environment who holds the government to account on that reporting. In fact, it was the commissioner who was quite involved with recommending Bill C-474.

Pedro da Silva Recognition ActRoutine Proceedings

November 16th, 2007 / 12:05 p.m.


See context

Liberal

Mario Silva Liberal Davenport, ON

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-477, An Act to recognize Pedro da Silva as Canada’s first officially commissioned letter carrier.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table a bill entitled “an act to recognize Pedro da Silva as Canada's first officially commissioned letter carrier”.

The bill calls on the government to recognize the 55th anniversary of officially sponsored immigration to Canada and the many contributions made by the Portuguese-Canadian community. The bill also requests that the government take appropriate measures to designate a national park or monument in recognition of Pedro da Silva for his dedicated service as Canada's first official letter carrier.

Pedro da Silva, a Portuguese trapper and carter living in the colony of New France, was commissioned to transport letters from Quebec to Montreal in the early 1700s, a service he provided for the rest of his life. Historians also know that Portuguese descendants have had a strong presence in North America, dating back over 500 years. In fact, many names in Newfoundland have a Portuguese origin and this heritage is continuously growing from coast to coast to coast in Canada.

Canadians of Portuguese heritage have a lot of which to be proud. From world renowned artists such as Albert de Castro, Nelly Furtado, Shawn Desmond and Canadian Idol Brian Melo, to hockey players like Mike Ribeiro and to business, labour and legal professionals, the community continues to contribute to the socio-cultural fabric of our nation.

The bill bestows appropriate recognition for the contributions of the Portuguese Canadian community to Canada's development, heritage and progress.

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