Bill C-477: An Act to recognize Pedro da Silva as Canada’s first officially commissioned letter carrier

C-477 Second Session, Thirty-ninth Parliament, 56 Elizabeth II, 2007 HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA BILL C-477 An Act to recognize Pedro da Silva as Canada's first officially commissioned letter carrier first reading, November 16, 2007 Mr. Silva 39206 SUMMARY The purpose of this enactment is to recognize Pedro da Silva as Canada’s first officially commissioned letter carrier. Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address:http://www.parl.gc.ca .vis1 {position: absolute;display:block;} .vis2 {position: static;} 2nd Session, 39th Parliament, 56 Elizabeth II, 2007 house of commons of canada BILL C-477 An Act to recognize Pedro da Silva as Canada's first officially commissioned letter carrier Preamble WHEREAS Pedro da Silva, a Portuguese trapper and carter living in the colony of New France, was commissioned to transport a packet of letters from Québec to Montréal in 1693; WHEREAS Pedro da Silva would become Canada’s first officially commissioned letter carrier by virtue of his appointment as “first courier” in 1705; WHEREAS Pedro da Silva would become known as “the Portuguese” and would spend the rest of his life delivering official dispatches and private mail throughout the colony; AND WHEREAS, in honour of the 55th anniversary of officially sponsored Portuguese immigration to Canada, the Government of Canada now wishes to recognize the many contributions made by Pedro da Silva and the Portuguese-Canadian Community; NOW, THEREFORE, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons, enacts as follows: SHORT TITLE Short title 1. This Act may be cited as the Pedro da Silva Recognition Act. DESIGNATION OF PARK OR MONUMENT National park or monument 2. The Minister of Canadian Heritage shall, in consultation with the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, take measures to designate a national park or a monument to be named in recognition of Pedro da Silva. Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of CommonsAvailable from:Publishing and Depository ServicesPublic Works and Government Services Canada