A Member of Parliament from the Conservative Party has put forth a proposal to officially recognize December as Christian Heritage Month. (Photograph by Justin Tang/Canadian Press)
A Conservative Member of Parliament, Marilyn Gladu, has put forward a private member's bill seeking to declare December as "Christian Heritage Month" in Canada. The proposed legislation, known as Bill C-369, was introduced to the House of Commons by Gladu, who represents the Ontario riding of Sarnia–Lambton.
Gladu argues that designating December as Christian Heritage Month is a fair recognition of the country's diverse religious landscape, highlighting that Canada embraces various faiths. She points out that since the last census records approximately 19.3 million Christians in Canada, December, traditionally associated with Christmas, is a fitting choice for such acknowledgment.
During her statement in the House, Gladu acknowledged the existence of heritage months for other faiths, such as Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, and Jews, further justifying the proposal for a Christian Heritage Month.
However, the timing of the bill's introduction, amidst a petition campaign by the Conservatives against a Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) discussion paper, adds a layer of controversy. The CHRC paper, released in October, labeled statutory holidays marking Christian religious dates as "systemic religious discrimination." The paper argued that recognizing Christian holidays exclusively could be seen as discriminatory, requiring non-Christians to make special requests for time off during their religious events.
The debate around this issue has become a focal point in Canadian politics, with the Conservative party launching a "Don't cancel Christmas!" campaign in response to the CHRC paper. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet raised the matter in the House, provocatively questioning whether Christmas itself is racist.
The exchange prompted a response from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who dismissed the notion of Christmas being racist, emphasizing Canada's diversity and the importance of respecting different beliefs.
Gladu's bill aligns with her party's campaign against the CHRC paper, aiming to rally public support through a petition condemning the perceived attack on Christmas traditions.
It's worth noting that private member's bills, like Bill C-369, face challenges in terms of being called for debate or a vote. Gladu had previously used her lottery spot for a different bill, making it unlikely that this proposed legislation will see significant parliamentary action.
The broader context of this legislative move is within the evolving religious landscape of Canada. While the 2021 census indicates that 53.3% of Canadians identify as Christian, this figure has declined from 77.1% in 2001. The census also highlights a rise in those reporting no religious affiliation, emphasizing the diverse and changing religious makeup of the Canadian population.
