moved for leave to introduce Bill S-211, An Act to establish International Mother Language Day.
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to introduce Bill S-211, an act to establish international mother language day throughout Canada on February 21 each year.
Our country is blessed with great diversity. Protecting, preserving and celebrating the cultural importance of mother languages enriches that diversity, especially the more than 60 aboriginal languages spoken in Canada.
I would like to recognize Mr. Aminul Islam of Surrey, a tireless advocate to establish this day in Canada; Senator Mobina Jaffer of British Columbia, who sponsored the bill in the other place; and my colleague, the hon. member for Surrey Centre, who graciously seconded this bill.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)