The motion to officially declare March as Irish Heritage Month across Canada was passed Wednesday in the House of Commons with unanimous consent.
James Maloney, member of parliament for the Ontario riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore, first presented his private Member’s bill last year.
Mr. Maloney’s motion, M-18, reads: “That, in the opinion of the House, the government should recognize the important contributions that Irish-Canadians have made to building Canada, and to Canadian society in general, and should mark the importance of educating and reflecting upon Irish heritage and culture for future generations by declaring the month of March as Irish Heritage Month.”
Etobicoke-Lakeshore.
Photo: Mélanie Provencher, House of Commons Photo Services
Strong ties to Ireland
When addressing the Speaker of the House this week, Mr. Maloney said, “This motion is for those people who left Ireland for better opportunity, for those who did not make it to the shores of Canada. This motion is for those who did and devoted their lives to building our country into what it is now. This motion is for those who continue to do that today. This motion is for future generations that are proud of their Irish heritage. I think of Thomas D’Arcy McGee, our Irish founding father, for example.”
He added, “The ties between Canada and Ireland are emotional, historical, economical and genetic. It is very powerful.”
14% of Canadians claim an Irish connection
Three of Mr. Maloney’s ancestors were brothers, Patrick, Michael and James Maloney, who came to Canada in 1840 and settled in the Ottawa Valley.
He said, “Those brothers were my ancestors, and my father was clearly proud of his heritage because he has three sons who he named Patrick, Michael and the hon. member for Etobicoke-Lakeshore.”
When his motion was moved in December prior to debate, Mr. Maloney said, “I am far from alone in having Irish heritage.
“According to the latest census data, over 4.6 million Canadian residents lay claim to an Irish ethnic connection. This is 14 percent of our total population, higher even than the proportion of Irish Americans in the US.
“The influence of Irish heritage in Canada and the depth of the Irish’s affinity with Ireland is the pre-eminent factor in Ireland’s successful nurturing of its relationship with Canada over decades.
“Our Irish population almost matches Ireland itself.”
