Canada Names November Albanian Heritage Month

Summary#

This bill would designate November as Albanian Heritage Month across Canada. It is a symbolic recognition. It does not create programs, rules, or funding. The stated aim is to recognize Albanian Canadians and inform the public about their contributions (Preamble).

• Designates November as “Albanian Heritage Month” every year across Canada (Albanian Heritage Month).
• Provides a short title: Albanian Heritage Month Act (Short Title).
• Notes November’s historic dates for Albania: Independence Day (November 28, 1912) and Liberation Day (November 29, 1944) (Preamble).
• Creates no new legal duties, penalties, or spending.

What it means for you#

• Households and community members:

  • Government will recognize November as Albanian Heritage Month. You may see public statements or community events, but the bill does not require any events (Albanian Heritage Month).
  • No change to rights, services, or taxes.

• Workers and employers:

  • No new holidays, paid leave, or workplace rules. Observance is honorary only (Albanian Heritage Month).

• Schools and educators:

  • No mandated curriculum changes. Education is provincial. Any activities would be voluntary. The federal bill does not require them (Albanian Heritage Month).

• Businesses:

  • No compliance steps or costs. Any participation in observances would be voluntary.

• Federal departments and Crown corporations:

  • Recognize the month in name. The bill does not require programs, reports, or spending (Albanian Heritage Month).

• Provinces/territories and municipalities:

  • No obligations. Local governments may choose to mark the month, but the bill does not direct them to do so.

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: CAD $0 in direct appropriations.

• The bill contains no appropriations, taxes, fees, or mandated programs (Albanian Heritage Month).
• No fiscal note published. Data unavailable on any discretionary communications or ceremony costs outside the bill.

Proponents' View#

• Recognition affirms the contributions of Albanian Canadians to Canada’s economic, political, social, and cultural life, as stated in the preamble (Preamble).
• A fixed month can help public education efforts by giving a clear annual time to share history and culture (Preamble).
• November is historically meaningful to the Albanian community, aligning Canadian observance with key dates (November 28–29) (Preamble).
• The designation is simple to implement and imposes no costs or administrative burdens, since it only names a commemorative month (Albanian Heritage Month).

Opponents' View#

• The bill is symbolic only and does not deliver concrete services, anti-discrimination measures, or funding; outcomes depend on voluntary actions (Albanian Heritage Month).
• Parliamentary time spent on commemorative months may crowd out debate on bills with direct material effects; the Act itself does not change programs or laws (Albanian Heritage Month).
• Without guidance or resources, observance may be uneven across departments and regions, limiting impact (Albanian Heritage Month).
• The bill sets no metrics or reporting, so it will be hard to assess whether public awareness actually improves (Albanian Heritage Month).