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The House of Commons passed a bill on Wednesday designating April as Arab Heritage Month.
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Liberal MP David McGuinty introduced Bill C-232 – An Act respecting Arab Heritage Month, in February. It was debated March 3 and again on Tuesday before a Wednesday vote.
MP Brian Masse (NDP — Windsor West) “celebrated” the bill’s approval after speaking out in favor of it during Tuesday’s debate.
“It is a worthy cause establishing Arab Heritage month because there is no doubt that the Arab population, not only in Windsor but across Canada and the world, has contributed quite significantly and continues to do so despite some recent challenges with Islamophobia and other types of sensitive issues over the years,” Masse said in the House of Commons. “The community deserves this type of positive recognition, especially when we consider its economic, social and cultural contributions, which continue in our neighbourhoods.”
Masse said Arab Canadians, Canada’s fastest growing immigrant community, had been advocating for a federal Arab Heritage Month across party lines for years.
“I also thank the member for Ottawa South for bringing this critical legislation forward,” Masse said during the debate.