Filipino Heritage Month motion to be debated in Canada’s Parliament

SCARBOROUGH – As we celebrate Philippines Independence Day this month, Scarborough Centre MP Salma Zahid is thankful for the support her Motion 155 has received from across the country, and is confident that, next year, June will be officially recognized as Filipino Heritage Month across Canada. M-155 reads as follows: That, in the opinion of the House, the government should recognize the contributions that Filipino-Canadians have made to Canadian society, the richness of the Filipino language and culture, and the importance of reflecting upon Filipino heritage for future generations by declaring June, every year, Filipino Heritage Month. The motion was added to the order of precedence on June 4, and the first hour of debate for M-155 in the House of Commons has been scheduled for early October. Following another hour of debate about one month later, MPs will vote on the motion. MP Zahid is confident her motion will receive broad support, and June will soon be officially recognized across Canada as Filipino Heritage Month. “I am proud to put forward this motion, with the support of colleagues across Canada, to recognize and officially celebrate the contributions of Filipino-Canadians to Canada,” said Zahid. “This is long-overdue recognition for a community that has given so much to Canada, and I look forward to celebrating Filipino Heritage Month next June with my friends and neighbours.” The support for M-155 thus far has been overwhelming. Thousands of Canadians from coast to coast to coast have signed petitions in support of the motion. Municipal politicians from Kitimat, B.C. to Montreal have expressed their support, as has the Ambassador of the Philippines to Canada. And 19 MPs have signed on to be joint seconders of M-155: Sukh Daliwhal (Surrey-Newton), Gary Anandasangaree (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Ali Ehsassi (Willowdale), Anthony Housefather (Mont Royal), Michael Levitt (York Centre), Frank Baylis (Pierrefonds-Dollard), Francesco Sorbara (Vaughan-Woodbridge), Kevin Lamoureux (Winnipeg North), Marco Mendicino (Eglinton-Lawrence), Shaun Chen (Scarborough North), Randeep Sarai (Surrey Centre), Gagan Sikand (Mississauga-Streetsville), Ken Hardie (Fleetwood-Port Kells), Iqra Khalid (Mississauga-Erin Mills), Hon. MaryAnn Mihychuk (Kildonan-St. Paul), Joe Peschisolido (Steveston-Richmond East), Ramesh Sangha (Brampton Centre), Chandra Arya (Nepean and Jean Yip (Scarborough-Agincourt). The first hour of debate on M-155 is scheduled for October 2nd, with MP Zahid leading off in support of her motion. This date could shift based on changes to the Parliamentary calendar. Please keep in touch with her office for further updates on the progress of M-155 (Filipino Heritage Month).