TORONTO – Ontario’s Liberal government says it will introduce legislation to officially proclaim February as Black History Month.
The month was first proclaimed in 1993, but the government says it will introduce legislation “in the near future” to formally recognize the month each year.
Culture Minister Michael Coteau says in a statement that Black History Month is an important celebration of the vital contributions black Ontarians have made to Ontario’s economic, social and cultural landscape.
The government says Ontario would become the third province to officially recognize Black History Month, following British Columbia and Quebec, as well as the federal government, which has officially recognized it since 1995.
Ontario has previously passed legislation to recognize Dutch Heritage Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Italian Heritage Month, Jewish Heritage Month, Sikh Heritage Month, Tamil Heritage Month, Asian Heritage Month and South Asian Heritage Month.
As well, Ontario has officially recognized Portugal Day, German Pioneers Day, Irish Heritage Day, Major-General Sir Isaac Brock Day, Ukrainian Heritage Day and United Empire Loyalists’ Day.
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