King-Vaughan MP pushes to have June made National Italian Heritage Month

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 22, 2016
By Tim Kelly

With the second largest Italian-Canadian constituency in Canada, it seems only fitting King-Vaughan MP Deb Schulte would push to make June National Italian Heritage Month.

Schulte has done just that with a private members bill in Parliament, introduced Friday, Nov. 18. If passed, the bill would replace the Ontario Italian Heritage Month Act, passed in 2010.

"I feel it is important to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of generations of Italian-Canadians," Schulte said.

The bill has the support of 13 Liberal caucus members of Italian descent, including Francesco Sorbarara of Vaughan-Woodbridge.

"Italy's national holiday, Festa della Repubblica, is celebrated on June 2 each year and the entire month holds great historical significance for the Italian community worldwide," according to a statement from the MPs.

The bill must now go through two more readings before it becomes law.