Latest Update on Arab Heritage Month By Honorable Senator Mohammad Al Zaibak
The Honourable Senator Mohammad Al Zaibak delivered his second reading speech on Bill S-227, An Act Respecting Arab Heritage Month, which seeks to formally designate the month of April as Arab Heritage Month across Canada.
Senator Al Zaibak highlighted the historic and ongoing contributions of Arab Canadians to the social, cultural, economic, and civic fabric of Canada for over 140 years. The Bill builds upon the foundation of former Bill C-232, introduced by the Honourable David McGuinty, which successfully passed all stages in the House of Commons during the 44th Parliament and reached third reading in the Senate before dying on the Order Paper due to Parliament’s prorogation and subsequent dissolution earlier this year.
“Arab Heritage Month will provide an opportunity for all Canadians to honour the contributions of Arab Canadians and to recommit ourselves to building a society where every culture is celebrated and everyone has the chance to thrive,” said Senator Al Zaibak. “It is more than a celebration — it is a testament to the values that define Canada: inclusion, diversity, fairness, and unity.”
Senator Al Zaibak also paid tribute to both early pioneers and contemporary leaders in the Arab Canadian community. He highlighted contributions of Arab Canadian from across the country.
Senator Al Zaibak emphasized that the Bill represents both a gesture of recognition and a practical step toward a more inclusive and unified Canada and an opportunity to honour the contributions of Arab Canadians from coast to coast to coast. The Bill invites all Canadians to celebrate Canada’s diversity and recommit to the values that bind the country together.
The Senator has conducted broad stakeholder consultations and is actively engaging colleagues across all Senate groups to support the timely passage of Bill S-227.
Read Senator Al Zaibak’s full speech here: https://sencanada.ca/en/content/sen/chamber/451/debates/009db_2025-06-11-e#58
Listen Senator Al Zaibak’s full speech here:
https://youtu.be/S9iuVWbvuCk