moved that Bill S-210, An Act respecting Ukrainian Heritage Month, be read the first time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce Bill S-210. If passed, the bill would declare September as Ukrainian heritage month across Canada every year.
I would like to thank Senator Kutcher for introducing this bill in the other place and the member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore for cosponsoring it.
Since 1891, Ukrainians have been coming to Canada. Most were very poor, but they carried with them something very important: a relentless work ethic and a resolve to preserve their Ukrainian heritage. Today, there are over 1.3 million Canadians of Ukrainian heritage. Ukrainian Canadians have made and continue to make an important contribution to our country that spans communities from coast to coast to coast.
It has never been more important for us to pass this bill than it is today. As we speak, Russia is attempting not only to conquer Ukraine, but to destroy the very heritage that this bill aims to honour, which generations of Ukrainian Canadians worked so hard to preserve.
Ukrainian heritage month would give us a special opportunity to honour Ukrainian heritage, honour the role that Ukrainian Canadians have played in Canada and honour the role that Canada has played in supporting Ukrainian Canadians.
Slava Kanadi. Slava Ukraini.
(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)