Paul Tuns:
According to the Christian Music Festival which organized the drive, 50 municipalities, three regions, one province, and two school boards declared December Christian Heritage Month or otherwise supported the intent of the campaign.
Molly Banerjei, a realtor from Toronto and CEO of the Christian Music Festival, the organization behind the push for the declaration, said she had hoped her home province of Ontario would be the first but was “ecstatic” that Saskatchewan did so and hoped every province would follow suit. However, Saskatchewan was the only province to officially declare December as Christian Heritage Month, while British Columbia explicitly refused to do so.
The NDP government of David Eby, through the Ministry of Multiculturalism, refused the request, sending an email to Banerjei stating, “After consideration, the provincial government will not be proceeding with issuing a proclamation this year” because “your submission overlaps with other significant and nationally recognized statutory holidays celebrating the Christian faith, notably Christmas.”
Banerjei said that the 34.3 per cent of British Columbia that identifies as Christian would be disappointed by Eby’s government’s refusal to designate December Christian Heritage Month. “Recognizing December as Christian Heritage Month would align with this tradition of inclusivity while acknowledging the historical and ongoing contributions of Christians to British Columbia,” she wrote to Eby.
British Columbia recognizes Tamil Heritage Month in January, Black History Month (February), Sikh Heritage Month (April), Asian Heritage Month (May), Italian Heritage Month (June), National Indigenous History Month (June), Polish Heritage Month (September), German Heritage Month (October), and Hindu Heritage Month (November).
The City of Vancouver also refused to proclaim Christian Heritage Month.
Banerjei said she met informally with Ontario Premier Doug Ford several times and brought up the matter. Ford told her to set up an appointment with his staff to formally talk about the issue, but her calls were never returned. She told the Western Standard, “We have an MPP who is willing to introduce the motion, “we just need (Ford) to cooperate with us and get it done.”
The Saskatchewan government made the proclamation official Dec. 4 when Alana Ross, Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, stamped the royal seal on the document making the proclamation official.
Banerjei said she was turning her attention to New Brunswick where Premier Susan Holt said she wanted “proof” that other provinces were making the proclamation. Ultimately, the new Liberal government in N.B. did not follow suit.
In fact, only one jurisdiction in Atlantic Canada, the Region of Cape Breton, proclaimed Christian Heritage Month. No cities in Quebec, Manitoba, or the northern territories agreed to make the proclamation.
Major cities that did included Ottawa, Toronto, Mississauga, Regina, Saskatoon, and Calgary. Two Toronto-area regions, Durham and York, also declared Christian Heritage Month, as did the York and Peel District School Boards. Smaller communities included Cold Laker, Alberta, Hudson’s Hope, B.C., Orilla, Ont., and Prince Albert, Sask.
Hamilton did not formally declare the month but indicated support, with city council passing by a vote of 11-2 a motion that said: “Therefore, let it be resolved that the City of Hamilton supports local Christian faith groups, families and individuals as they celebrate Christian Heritage Month.” City Clerk Matthew Trennum explicitly stated the motion was not a proclamation: “This is simply a sentiment to say to the community that is celebrating in this way,” that the city “basically support(s) their ability to or their desire to have their celebration.”
After Calgary agreed to recognize Christian Heritage Month, Banerjei said on Facebook “From one brown girl to another – thank you for taking this historic step,” in reference to Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “Calgary has now become a truly inclusive city, honoring the contributions of Christian communities and celebrating diversity,” Banerjei continued on her Facebook post.
The debate in Toronto was contentious. The motion was attacked by left-wing councilor Gordon Perks, who delivered a diatribe against Christianity and a rant against former city councilor Jim Karygiannis, whom he claimed was behind the effort
Perks questioned the validity of Canada’s founding, delivered a biased history of residential schools, and pointed to the presence of prayer in some schools. “In Canada, every day, every minute, every second, every law, everything we do is Christian time,” said Perks, who said recognition of other identities were is an “effort to rebalance” the country.
He also said the nomenclature of Christian Heritage was evocative of the Christian Heritage Party, which Perks complained is “anti-abortion, anti-same-sex marriage.” He also said that googling the phrase Christian Heritage Front comes up with references to a defunct white supremacist group.
Councilor Lily Cheng said, “this is actually a very difficult debate to me because I feel like we’re putting a whole faith on trial here.” She spoke personally about how “Christianity saved my life” following struggles with eating disorders and depression. Cheng said “there’s so much good and beauty in Christianity” and “I think those are worthy things that we should celebrate in December, when so many people, even those who aren’t Christian, look forward to the message of faith, hope and love that is carried around the world on Dec. 25.”
The motion passed 11-4 with 11 councilors not voting.
Councilor Stephen Holyday, who supported the motion, said that the debate was “handled with the opposite of grace” and brought “council into disrepute.”
Banerjei says her group’s initiative to declare December as Christian Heritage Month “unites diverse voices and fosters a sense of belonging, enriching our nation’s identity and promoting inclusivity for all.”
The Christian Heritage Month website said the campaign seeks “to acknowledge the significant impact of Christian communities on Canadian history, values of compassion, service, and unity, and the cultural fabric of the nation.”
In 2023, Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu (Sarnia-Lambton) introduced Bill C-369, that would designate December as “Christian Heritage Month,” saying this was only the “fair and right” thing to do. The bill stalled and never passed.
