Bill C-232 (Historical)

Arab Heritage Month Act

An Act respecting Arab Heritage Month

This bill is from the 44th Parliament, 1st session, which ended in January 2025.

Sponsor

David McGuinty Liberal

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

Status

Third reading (Senate), as of Nov. 26, 2024
(This bill did not become law.)

Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment designates the month of April as “Arab Heritage Month”.

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-232s:

C-232 (2020) Climate Emergency Action Act

C-232 (2016) An Act to amend the Excise Act, 2001 (spirits)

C-232 (2013) An Act to amend the Criminal Code (cruelty to animals)

Votes

March 8, 2023 Passed 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-232, An Act respecting Arab Heritage Month

May 18, 2022 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-232, An Act respecting Arab Heritage Month

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-232 seeks to designate the month of April as Arab Heritage Month in Canada, recognizing the contributions of Arab Canadians to Canadian society. The bill aims to provide an opportunity for Arab Canadians to showcase their culture, talents, and heritage while fostering understanding and combating misconceptions. It acknowledges the long history of Arab immigration to Canada and the diversity within the Arab community.

Liberal

Strong support for bill C-232: Liberal members expressed strong support for Bill C-232, which designates April as Arab Heritage Month, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and celebrating the contributions of Arab Canadians to Canadian society. They see it as an opportunity to combat misconceptions, promote inclusivity, and showcase the diverse culture and talents within the Arab community.
Highlighting Arab Canadian contributions: Liberal members highlighted the significant contributions of Arab Canadians in various fields, including business, culture, arts, media, and politics, emphasizing their role in building a stronger and more diverse Canada. They mentioned specific individuals and success stories to showcase the community's positive impact and entrepreneurial spirit.
Promoting education and understanding: Liberal members emphasized the importance of heritage months in fostering education, understanding, and appreciation of different cultures within Canada. They believe that designating April as Arab Heritage Month will provide opportunities for Arab communities to share their history, traditions, and values, promoting inclusivity and combating racism and intolerance.
Celebrating diversity and inclusion: Liberal members highlighted Canada's diversity as a source of strength and emphasized the need to celebrate and include Arab Canadians in the national narrative. They believe that recognizing Arab Heritage Month will contribute to building a more inclusive and accepting society, moving beyond mere tolerance to active celebration of each other's cultures and backgrounds.

Conservative

Strong support for bill: The Conservative party expresses strong support for Bill C-232, which designates April as Arab Heritage Month in Canada. Members emphasize the significant contributions of Arab Canadians to all sectors of Canadian society and the importance of recognizing their heritage.
Celebrating diversity: Conservatives highlight Canada's multiculturalism as a source of strength and pride. They argue that heritage months like Arab Heritage Month provide opportunities to learn about different cultures, share traditions, and foster understanding and appreciation among communities.
Combating stereotypes: Recognizing that Islamophobia and anti-Arab sentiment exist in Canada, members feel that the bill provides a platform to address misconceptions and promote accurate understanding of Arab culture, history, and the Muslim faith. They emphasize that negative stereotypes should not overshadow the positive contributions of Arab people to Canada.
Acknowledging Arab contributions: Conservatives note that the Arab world's influence on math, science, language, and other fields are often overlooked, and emphasize the importance of recognizing the Arab world's historical and ongoing contributions to civilization and innovation.

NDP

Strong support for Bill C-232: The NDP strongly supports Bill C-232, which designates April as Arab Heritage Month, and are proud to do so. They see this bill as a crucial step towards recognizing the contributions of Arab communities in Canada and combating discrimination.
Importance of recognition: NDP members emphasize the importance of recognizing the heritage and contributions of racialized communities, including Arab Canadians, whose stories are often untold or unrecognized. The NDP believes that recognizing Arab heritage helps combat hate, promote inclusivity, and foster a safer Canada for everyone.
Highlighting Arab contributions: The NDP emphasizes the importance of recognizing the achievements of Arab Canadians in various fields, including arts, sports, politics, business, academics, sciences, and literature. Members aim to ensure that Arab Canadians see themselves represented and valued in Canadian society.
Auto industry contributions: One member highlighted Arab Canadians' contributions to the auto industry in Windsor, Ontario, both historically and in the current revitalization with electric vehicles, as an example of their significant economic impact.

Bloc

Supports the bill: The Bloc Québécois supports the bill designating April as Arab Heritage Month, acknowledging the Arab community's contributions to Quebec society.
Quebec's unique integration: The Bloc Québécois emphasizes Quebec's interculturalism model, where integration is linked to francization and secularization, differing from Canada's multicultural approach.
Prefers 'Arab Quebeckers': The Bloc Québécois suggests that the terms 'Arab Canadians' and 'Arab Canadian communities' are inaccurate because they do not account for the unique integration of Arab immigrants into Quebec's francophone society.

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(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #100

Arab Heritage Month ActPrivate Members' Business

May 18th, 2022 / 4:20 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

I declare the motion carried. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.

(Bill read the second time and referred to a committee)

I wish to inform the House that because of the deferred recorded divisions, Government Orders will be extended by 62 minutes.

It is my duty, pursuant to Standing Order 38, to inform the House that the questions to be raised tonight at the time of adjournment are as follows: the hon. member for Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, Labour; the hon. member for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, Public Safety; the hon. member for Port Moody—Coquitlam, Persons with Disabilities.