MP Salma Zahid Seconds House of Commons Motion to Establish December as Christian Heritage Month

Chinese Canadian Liberal Member of Parliament Jean Yip, MP for Scarborough Agincourt has introduced Motion M-171 to recognize December as Christian Heritage Month.

The motion states:

That:

(a) the House recognize that,

(i) the month of December is significant in the Christian calendar as it marks the beginning of advent and Christmas,

(ii) there are 19.3 million Canadians identifying as Christian,

(iii) Christianity in Canada is an example of our diversity, as Canada is home to more than 340 Christian denominations; and

(b) in the opinion of the House, the government should designate the month of December, every year, as Canadian Christian Month.

Pakistani Canadian Liberal Member of Parliament for Scarborough Centre, Salma Zahid, is the first MP to second the motion and recently shared on her social media why she is supporting this motion. As she states: "I have heard from many of you about the importance of recognizing December as Christian Month in Canada. I have had the privilege of joining you throughout the year for holy events and celebrations, but December is such a special month as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th. My colleague Jean Yip, MP for Scarborough Agincourt, has introduced Motion M-171, to recognize December as Canadian Christian Month. I am happy to be the first MP who has seconded her motion. I hope to have the opportunity to vote in favour of this Motion very soon, so next December can officially be recognized as Canadian Christian Month."

The movement to have December officially recognized as Christian Heritage Month was started by Indian Canadian Molly Banerji, the founder of Toronto's annual Christian Music Festival. She felt that it was important to celebrate Canada's Christian communities in the same way that other faith communities have official months in Canada such as Islamic History Month, Sikh Heritage Month, and Hindu Heritage Month recognized by the federal government. 

"MPs and Ministers from diverse faiths and cultures have personally pledged their support for Motion M-171," Banerji stated after attending a Christmas celebration with Members of Parliament organized by MP Jean Yip and attended by MP Salma Zahid, "This reflects the shared understanding that recognizing Christian heritage contributes to the broader story of Canada's multicultural fabric."

The first federal motion put forward to recognize Christian Heritage Month was put forward by Conservative Member of Parliament Marilyn Gladu in 2023 but did not pass.