45th Parliament · Session 1
Bill S-210: An Act respecting Ukrainian Heritage Month
Ukrainian Heritage Month Act
Introduced
May 28, 2025
Current Stage
HouseAtReportStage
Last Updated
April 14, 2026
Community Support
Community Vote
100% Support
3 votes
Politicians' Vote
96% Support
332 MPs
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Engagement
Votes
3
Comments
0
Follows
0
Parliamentary Votes
1
Statements
8
Bill S-210
Tue Apr 14 2026
An Act respecting Ukrainian Heritage Month
Impact Rating
1/5
Short Summary
Designates September of every year as 'Ukrainian Heritage Month' to honor the contributions of Ukrainian Canadians.
This bill officially designates the month of September as 'Ukrainian Heritage Month' across Canada. It is a symbolic enactment intended to recognize, celebrate, and educate the public about the history, culture, and significant contributions of Ukrainian Canadians to the country.
Why does this bill exist?
Origin (Public Outcry/Event)
Driven by the large and active Ukrainian Canadian community desiring formal federal recognition, particularly significant given the first Ukrainian immigrants arrived in Canada in September 1891.
Declares that throughout Canada, September is to be known as 'Ukrainian Heritage Month'.
Does not create a statutory holiday or give employees time off.
Does not mandate specific government spending or programs; it is purely a commemorative designation.
Recognizes the deep historical roots of the Ukrainian community in Canada.
Ukrainian Canadians
(Neutral)
Gains official federal recognition of their heritage month, fostering community pride.
Teachers/Librarians
(Neutral)
Provides a formal hook for planning displays or lesson plans in September.
General Public
(Neutral)
No change to daily life.
Provincial Impact
Provincial Impact
This applies to the federal calendar. Provinces may already have their own designations (e.g., Ontario recognizes September) or may choose to follow suit.
Benefits & Pros
Promotes inclusion and recognition of the Ukrainian Canadian community, which is one of the largest Ukrainian diasporas in the world.
Encourages schools, libraries, and public institutions to create educational programming about Ukrainian culture and history.
Provides a formal platform to celebrate the arrival of the first Ukrainian immigrants to Canada (historically recorded in September 1891).
Beneficiaries
Risks & Cons
Purely symbolic; provides no funding for cultural centers, settlement services, or community support.
Critics may argue Parliament should focus on substantive legislation rather than calendar designations.
Affected Groups
Before & After
Currently: Several provinces (like Ontario and Manitoba) recognize Ukrainian Heritage Month, but there is no national federal designation. Under this Bill: September will be officially recognized as Ukrainian Heritage Month by the federal government across all of Canada.
Real World Scenario
Currently: A community group holds a Ukrainian festival in September. Under this Bill: The group can market the festival as part of the federally recognized 'Ukrainian Heritage Month'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Votes on this bill
2nd reading of Bill S-210, An Act respecting Ukrainian Heritage Month
Thu Feb 12 2026
Yeas: 318
Nays: 0
Total: 332
House of Commons
First reading
Completed on October 8, 2025
Second reading
Completed on February 12, 2026
Consideration in committee
Completed on April 14, 2026
Report stage
Not yet started
Third reading
Not yet started
Senate
First reading
Completed on May 28, 2025
Second reading
Completed on September 25, 2025
Third reading
Completed on October 1, 2025
Abuse Potential
None. The bill simply names a month. It contains no regulatory powers or budget measures that could be misused.
Implementation Risk
None. There are no logistics involved.
Broad Economic Impact
None
Everyday Life
Minimal impact
Admin Burden
Automatic
Timeline
Immediate upon Royal Assent
