An act to establish Albanian Heritage Month
Bill C-361 establishes November as Albanian Heritage Month nationally (45-1 successor: Bill C-209 of 45-1). Approximately 36,185 Canadians reported Albanian origin on the 2021 Statistics Canada census, concentrated in Toronto, Hamilton, and Montreal. Albanian immigration to Canada came in two main waves: the 1990s post-communist transition and 1998-1999 Kosovo war refugees (Canada accepted roughly 7,000 Kosovar Albanians under a special humanitarian program). The Albanian Canadian Community Association has lobbied for federal recognition since 2018; Ontario formally established Albanian Heritage Month in 2022 (Bill 134). Did not pass before 44-1 ended.
Status
Quick learn
Designates November each year as Albanian Heritage Month at the federal level. Heritage-month bills create an official observance but do not impose any new program, spending, or legal obligation. Ontario has its own Albanian Heritage Month since 2022. About 36,185 Canadians reported Albanian origin on the 2021 census, including roughly 7,000 Kosovar Albanians admitted during the 1999 Kosovo war. The federal bill did not pass before Parliament dissolved.
Issues this bill touches
- Arts, Culture & Heritage
Establishes Albanian Heritage Month.
Legislative history
- First reading
First reading in the House of Commons.
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Official source
Read full text on Parliament of Canada