https://peterjulian.ca/Bill_C244_An_Act_to_establish_Leif_Erikson_Day
OTTAWA – Today, Peter Julian, MP (New Westminster – Burnaby) reintroduced the Leif Erikson Day Act, Bill C-244, which designates October 9 as Leif Erikson day.
“Leif Erikson is a part of our heritage that defines us, and a part of the country we have built. Understanding our heritage is an important part of reflecting on the great privilege and responsibility we all share as Canadians,� said Julian.
Leif Erikson and his crew were the first Europeans to discover North America 1000 years ago, likely with the help of crystal calcite “sunstones� to assist their navigation. The ancient historical Norse settlement of L’Anse aux Meadows in present day Newfoundland and Labrador is a tribute to a Scandinavian presence that began in Canada five centuries before Columbus. Leif Erikson’s journey also marks the beginning of contact between the Inuit and Europeans who celebrate a long shared history in the Arctic.
“The Leif Erikson Day Act is also intended to honour the efforts and very fine contribution of Canadians of Scandinavian descent. Canadian of Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish and Icelandic origins have helped shape Canadian society and culture,� said Julian.
Over one million Canadians reported to have Scandinavian ancestors in the 2006 population census and Julian’s bill has received very strong support from Scandinavian organizations across Canada.
In 1964, the US Congress designated October 9 as Leif Erikson Day to mark the historical significance of Leif Erikson’s voyage and celebrate the important contribution of Americans of Scandinavian ancestry.
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NDP Critic for Canadian Heritage Peter Julian issued the following statement:
"It has come to our attention that a consultant for a federally funded anti-racism project has a disturbing track record of spewing hate speech online against Jewish and francophone communities. This is completely unacceptable. We call on the Minister of Heritage to take drastic action and terminate his contract.
NDP Heritage Critic Peter Julian issued the following statement:
“Today’s announcement by Hockey Canada is another attempt to delay the important and urgent work to deal with the toxic culture in this organization. While a former Supreme Court Justice is a credible appointment to conduct the review into Hockey Canada, this won’t be the first time the organization undergoes this process.
NDP critic for Canadian Heritage, Peter Julian, made the following statement:
“Canadians are horrified by the incidents of sexual assault and by what they’re hearing from Hockey Canada. They are left with many questions about how this toxic culture is allowed to persist in our sports organizations and what the government is actually doing to ensure this doesn’t happen again.