EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill proclaims the month of September in each year as Ukrainian Heritage Month.

Bill 215 2024

An Act to proclaim the month of September as Ukrainian Heritage Month

Preamble

Ontario is a welcoming and multicultural society and is home to people from a diverse range of cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds.

For over 130 years, people of Ukrainian origin have immigrated to Canada and made this country their home. Ontario has been, and remains, a safe haven for many Ukrainians fleeing persecution, violence, war and oppression.

In return, Ukrainian-Canadians have left a tremendous and positive impact on Ontario. There are over 340,000 Ontarians of Ukrainian heritage in our province that have contributed significantly to Ontario’s social, cultural, political and economic fabric. These include philanthropists, religious leaders, business owners, veterans, political figures and a supreme court justice.

By proclaiming the month of September as Ukrainian Heritage Month, the Province of Ontario recognizes that September 7th marks the anniversary of the first documented Ukrainians arriving in Canada and celebrates the anniversary of Ukraine’s independence in 1991.

Therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Ukrainian Heritage Month

1 The month of September in each year is proclaimed as Ukrainian Heritage Month.

Commencement

2 This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3 The short title of this Act is the Ukrainian Heritage Month Act, 2024.