Arab Heritage Month
A TIMELINE
Since the arrival of the first Arab immigrants in Canada in 1882, Arab Canadians have made significant contributions to the country, actively shaping its culture and identity.
Over time, community leaders and allies recognized that this history, an important yet often overlooked part of Canada’s past, deserves to be acknowledged and commemorated through the recognition of Arab Heritage Month, observed each April.
The Canadian Arab Institute, alongside several of its founding members and partners, has long advocated for this recognition. Momentum grew in 2022 with the introduction of the Act Respecting Arab Heritage Month. Carried forward across successive governments, the bill ultimately reached its final stages to be adopted. The Institute presents this timeline as an archive of that journey, in gratitude to all those who worked tirelessly to make it possible.
An Act Respecting Arab Heritage Month
February 7, 2022
Bill C-232 (An Act respecting Arab Heritage Month) was introduced in the House of Commons by MP David McGuinty.
May 18, 2022
Bill C-232 passes second reading in the House of Commons with unanimous support (319-0).
March 8, 2023
Bill C-232 passes third reading and is adopted by the House of Commons (322-0).
April, 2023
in celebration of Bill C-232 passing third reading, Members of the CAI Board of Directors and team visited Ottawa for a historic day for the Canadian-Arab community; the first ever Arab Heritage Month reception, hosting community members and allies, including members of parliament.
March-November 2024
On March 9, 2023, Bill C-232 moves to the Senate
May 9, 2024
Bill C-232 passes second reading in the Senate and is referred to committee. Read by the Hon. Marc Gold
October 24, 2024
Bill C-232 is reviewed by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology and successfully passes to third reading
October 24, 2024 - Bill C-232 October 24, 2024
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology has the honour to present its
TWENTY-SEVENTH REPORT
Your committee, to which was referred Bill C-232, An Act respecting Arab Heritage Month, has, in obedience to the order of reference of May 9, 2024, examined the said bill and now reports the same without amendment.
Respectfully submitted,
RATNA OMIDVAR
Chair
January 6, 2025
With only the third reading at the Senate for Bill C-232 to be passed, the Act respecting arab heritage month dies on the Order Paper due to the prorogation and dissolution of Parliament.
June 5, 2025
45th Parliament, 1st session
The bill is given new life when
the honorable Senator Mohammad Al Zaibak introduces Bill S-227 in the Senate, re-initiating the process to establish April as Arab Heritage Month.
October 2, 2025
Bill S-227 passes second reading in the senate. Senator Al Zaibak delivers a speech at the second reading.
supported with a speech by the honourable Senator Salma Atullahjan on June 19th.
October 8, 2025
Bill S-227 passes third reading in the Senate. Senator Henkel speaks at the third reading.
Presented by the Honourable Ahmed Hussein, the bill passed its first reading in the House of Commons.
October 10, 2025
Bill S-227 moves to the House of Commons
December 10, 2025
Bill S-227 is still in its second reading in the House of Commons
With the act resepecting arab heritage month is in its second reading at the House of Commons, the Arab Canadian community is hopeful that it will pass as a recognition of their Canadian heritage and their contributions, past, present, and future.
The Arab Canadian story is still being written through the innovators, entrepreneurs, leaders, and artists who contribute to Canada’s Growth
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