Bill C-624 (Historical)

An Act to amend the National Anthem Act (gender)

This bill is from the 41st Parliament, 2nd session, which ended in August 2015.

Sponsor

Mauril Bélanger Liberal

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

Status

Defeated, as of April 29, 2015
(This bill did not become law.)

Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment substitutes the words “of us” for the words “thy sons” in the English version of the national anthem, thus making it gender neutral.

Similar bills

C-210 (42nd Parliament, 1st session) Law An Act to amend the National Anthem Act (gender)

C-626 (40th Parliament, 3rd session) An Act to amend the National Anthem Act (gender neutral)

Elsewhere

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

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-624s:

C-624 (2011) Protection of Beneficiaries of Long Term Disability Benefits Plans Act

Votes

April 29, 2015 Failed That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.

National Anthem ActRoutine Proceedings

September 22nd, 2014 / 3:05 p.m.

Liberal

Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-624, An Act to amend the National Anthem Act (gender).

Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to table a bill entitled “An act to amend the National Anthem Act”. It is seconded by my colleague from St. Paul's.

The bill proposes a simple change in the English version only, two words to be precise: “True patriot love” and “all thy sons command” to become “true patriot love in all of us command”.

In due course, I will present the arguments which I hope will convince a majority of my colleagues to support the bill. I also hope the exchange and debate will be respectful and beyond partisanship.

I attended the Famous 5 luncheon today, where the first and thus far only female prime minister, the Right Hon. Kim Campbell, was the guest speaker, and she was a terrific speaker. At the end of her speech, she welcomed this initiative to make our national anthem gender inclusive.

I look forward to engaging with my colleagues as we address this important matter.

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