Holidays and observances

Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled

• There are over 1.8 million people of Chinese descent in Canada, representing one of the largest and most established communities within the country;
• Chinese Canadians have played an essential role in shaping Canada’s social fabric since the 1800s, contributing significantly to major nation-building projects, such as the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway;
• Chinese Canadians have experienced a distinct history of systemic exclusion and discrimination, through mechanisms such as the Chinese Head Tax and the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923, which separated families and marginalized entire communities;
• Across Canada, Chinese Canadian cultural traditions and celebrations – such as Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival, among others – enrich the multicultural fabric of Canadian society and promote cross-cultural understanding;
• February is  an important period for Chinese communities because of the cultural significance of Lunar New Year, making it a meaningful and appropriate time for recognition;
• Asian Heritage Month – while recognizing the diversity of Asian communities in Canada – does not fully capture the unique historical experiences, cultural heritage, and contributions of Chinese Canadians; and
• Officially designating a Candian Chinese Heritage Month at a national level would provide an opportunity for education, reflection, and celebration, helping to strengthen inclusion and understanding.