✔︎ Bill S-214, International Mother Language Day
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill S-214, An Act to establish International Mother Language Day
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
The meaning behind International Mother Language Day is rooted in Canadian multiculturalism, openness, and diversity. It is also an empowerment of our Indigenous languages, and a loud symbol of acceptance, internationally, during a dark time in world history. If this bill passes, it will establish International Mother Language Day – a Day that promotes the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world – on February 21st.
Passed.
Bill Status
Royal Assent received
MP Aldag Statement on S-214: International Mother Language Day
John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale—Langley City statement on Bill S-214
March 24, 2022 – British Columbia
MP Aldag jointly seconded Bill S-214, An Act to establish International Mother Language Day, stating:
“I am very familiar with the contents of Bill S-214. I supported a similar bill during my time in the 42nd Parliament. Senator Jaffer and MP Hardie brought this bill forward in the 43rd Parliament, and now they are trying again. I believe that this Bill will pass this time. International Mother Languages Day promotes the use of one’s mother language, which Canadians take for granted.
“A constituent in my riding, Abdus Salem, immigrated from Bangladesh where his family was discriminated against for not speaking the official language. Surrey and BC already adopted this Day — Canada would be a global leader and uphold our multiculturalism if we adopt this.
I believe that all parties can support International Mother Language Day. It is representative of our openness and multiculturalism, it already exists at other levels of government, and we have a history of protecting minority groups to uphold.”
Contacts:
Megan Waddington
Constituency Assistant
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
604-575-6595
john.aldag@parl.gc.ca
Heritage Week & International Mother Languages Day
Today is a very special day. Not only is it the second day of Canada’s Heritage Week, it is also recognized by the global community as International Mother Languages Day.
Statement in the House of Commons celebrating Heritage Week and International Mother Languages Day
Mr. Speaker,
Today is a very special day. Not only is it the second day of Canada’s Heritage Week, it is also recognized by the global community as International Mother Languages Day.
Heritage Week was created to celebrate the unique value of Canada’s built heritage. These are the roots and places that tell this country’s story and from coast to coast to coast, I’m sure we can all think of an historic building worth preserving.
Today is also an opportunity to appreciate Canada’s cultural heritage. In 1999, UNESCO recognized February 21st as International Mother Languages Day to celebrate the linguistic heritage of peoples across the world.
This effort would have been impossible without the efforts of the Vancouver-based organization, Mother Language Lovers of the World, and Mr. Abdus Salam, a founding member whose family now lives in my riding of Cloverdale-Langley City.
I would like to commend Mr. Salam for his tireless efforts and join him in celebrating our country’s linguistic diversity.
Thank You.