Bill S-220 explained in plain English
An Act to designate the month of March as Hellenic Heritage Month
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 45th Parliament, 1st Session. MP vote breakdowns appear when the House of Commons publishes a recorded division export for that bill. Senate and House stage details include official debate/sitting links when LEGISinfo publishes them.
Our plain-language take, written for civic education.
Source: By PoliticalData.ca
Bill S-220 designates March as Hellenic Heritage Month to honor the cultural and historical ties of Greek Canadians to Greece.
Bill S-220 proposes to officially name the month of March as 'Hellenic Heritage Month' across Canada. This designation aims to recognize the cultural, historical, and societal contributions of Greek Canadians and their heritage connections to Greece.
- Designates the month of March as 'Hellenic Heritage Month' in all parts of Canada each year (Section 2).
- Provides context for the designation through historical and cultural references in the preamble, including Greece's independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821 and the contributions of Greek Canadians to Canadian society.
- Greek Canadians and Greek communities in Canada
- Canadian citizens and residents generally, as the designation applies nationwide
- The bill does not specify any new programs, funding, or obligations beyond the symbolic designation of March as Hellenic Heritage Month.
- No details are provided about how the designation will be promoted or celebrated.
Generated using AI from official bill text. Not legal advice. It is written by PoliticalData.ca for civic education, automatically checked and spot-reviewed before publishing.
Official textParliamentary Process
Bill S-220 completed its Senate First Reading on May 28, 2025, marking the start of its legislative process in the Senate.
Bill S-220, which proposes designating March as Hellenic Heritage Month, completed its Senate First Reading on May 28, 2025. This procedural step involved the Senate formally acknowledging the bill's introduction and its title. No debate or voting occurred at this stage. The bill is now scheduled for its Second Reading in the Senate on October 28, 2025. Similar bills (S-259 and C-276) from previous parliaments also exist, but they are not directly related to the current stage. The first reading is a routine procedural step that does not alter the law or determine the bill's content.
The Senate debate covers the introduction of bills, questions about official languages appointments, trade disputes, and a reference to the Speech from the Throne.
The Senate debate transcript includes several key topics. First, there is a welcome to new senators, followed by the introduction of bills S-211 and S-212. A senator raises a question about the appointment of the Commissioner of Official Languages, which the government responds to by citing the 2023-2024 budget. Another senator questions the government's stance on interprovincial trade disputes, and the government acknowledges the complexity of such issues. Finally, a speech from the throne is referenced, with a note on land acknowledgment practices.
Bill S-220 advanced to committee consideration in the Senate after completing its second reading stage on October 28, 2025, with further debate on November 26.
Bill S-220, which proposes designating March as Hellenic Heritage Month, reached the Senate Second Reading stage on October 28, 2025. The stage was completed, and the bill was referred to a committee for further consideration on November 26, 2025. The first reading occurred on May 28, 2025. During the second reading, sponsor Tony Loffreda (Independent Senators Group) delivered a speech on October 28, and Senator Leo Housakos (Conservative) responded on November 26. This stage does not enact the law but marks procedural progress in the Senate.
The Senate debated amendments to the Indian Act, aquaculture in BC, Gaza humanitarian issues, and Indigenous child removals, with ministers emphasizing consultation and senators highlighting systemic inequities.
The Senate debates on October 28, 2025, focused on several key topics: (1) amendments to the Indian Act to address gender-based discrimination and the second-generation cut-off, (2) aquaculture development in British Columbia and its impact on Indigenous communities, (3) the humanitarian situation in Gaza, (4) the establishment of committees to study Indigenous rights and consultation processes, and (5) historical and ongoing issues related to the forcible removal of Indigenous children. The minister of Indigenous Affairs emphasized consultation with First Nations and the importance of balancing legal obligations with economic development, while senators raised concerns about systemic inequities and the need for legislative action. No votes or formal decisions were recorded in the provided text.
The Senate debated motions on Indigenous child removals, Indian Act amendments, aquaculture support, and the Gaza conflict, focusing on consultation, legal obligations, and human rights issues without reaching final votes.
The Senate debate focused on several key issues: (1) A motion to authorize committees to study historical child removals from Indigenous communities, emphasizing the need for consultation with affected groups and addressing intergenerational impacts. (2) A motion to amend the Indian Act to remove gender discrimination in status and eliminate the second-generation cut-off, with the minister noting ongoing consultations with First Nations. (3) A motion to support the aquaculture industry in British Columbia, highlighting economic benefits for Indigenous communities and the previous government's ban on open-net pen farming. (4) A motion regarding the Gaza conflict, with the senator describing the humanitarian crisis, international law violations, and Canada's potential complicity through arms supply to Israel. (5) A motion to recognize Palestine as a state, with the senator citing UN resolutions and the need for Canada to align with international law. The debate included procedural motions to advance these topics, with no final votes recorded in the provided text.
The Senate debated Bill S-220 during its second reading on November 26, 2025, with support from Senator Housakos for designating March as Hellenic Heritage Month, while other unrelated legislative matters were also addressed.
On November 26, 2025, the Senate held a sitting during the second reading debate of Bill S-220, which proposes to designate March as Hellenic Heritage Month. Senator Leo Housakos (Leader of the Opposition) publicly supported the bill, citing his Greek heritage and appreciation for Senator Tony Loffreda’s longstanding advocacy for the Hellenic community. He highlighted the bill’s aim to recognize Greek-Canadian contributions nationally. No votes or final outcomes were recorded in this stage. Other topics discussed included World AIDS Day, tax return reforms, and committee authorizations for reviewing budget-related legislation. The debate focused on procedural considerations rather than legal effects of the bill.
The Senate debated Bill S-220 during its second reading, with Opposition Senator Leo Housakos expressing support for recognizing Hellenic heritage in March, while the session also included unrelated discussions on public health and taxation.
This record documents a Senate debate on the second reading of Bill S-220, which proposes to designate March as Hellenic Heritage Month. Senator Leo Housakos, representing the Opposition, publicly supported the bill, citing his Greek heritage and appreciation for Senator Tony Loffreda's longstanding advocacy for the Hellenic community. He highlighted the bill's role in recognizing Greek-Canadian contributions and shared a personal anecdote about community recognition of Senator Loffreda's dedication. The debate occurred during a broader Senate session that also addressed unrelated topics like World AIDS Day, tax policy, and committee authorizations. The official text confirms this debate took place on November 26, 2025, as part of the Senate's consideration of the bill.
Bill S-220, to designate March as Hellenic Heritage Month, is currently with a Senate committee for consideration, with no committee activity reported yet.
Bill S-220, which aims to designate the month of March as Hellenic Heritage Month, is currently undergoing consideration by a Senate committee. The bill was referred to this committee on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, following its first reading on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, and second reading on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. The source text notes there has been no specific activity within the committee stage itself as of the latest update.
Bill S-220, aiming to designate March as Hellenic Heritage Month, has reached the Senate Report stage, but this stage has not yet been initiated, with the bill currently under consideration in committee.
This record indicates that Bill S-220, concerning the designation of March as Hellenic Heritage Month, has reached the Senate Report stage. However, this specific stage has not yet been reached or commenced. The bill's latest activity was its referral to a committee on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. It had its first reading on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, and its second reading on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, with major speeches noted on those dates.
Bill S-220, to designate March as Hellenic Heritage Month, is currently before a Senate committee and has not yet reached the third reading stage.
This record indicates that Bill S-220, aiming to designate the month of March as Hellenic Heritage Month, has not yet reached the third reading stage in the Senate. The bill was referred to a committee on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, after its second reading on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. The official text does not describe any debate or proceedings that occurred during the "Senate Third reading" stage, as it has not yet been reached.
This artifact details the procedural progression of Bill S-220, noting its introduction at first reading in the House of Commons, but also its current status in the Senate committee stage and past Senate proceedings.
This record describes the first reading stage for Bill S-220 in the House of Commons. First reading is a procedural step where a bill is formally introduced. The artifact indicates that this stage has not yet been reached, as the bill is currently at the committee stage in the Senate. The record also notes the bill's subsequent stages in the Senate, including second reading and referral to committee, along with dates and speakers of major speeches. It also lists similar bills from previous Parliaments.
Bill S-220, concerning the designation of March as Hellenic Heritage Month, has not yet reached Second Reading in the House of Commons, though it has progressed through Senate stages and is currently before a Senate committee.
This artifact describes the procedural status of Bill S-220 in the House of Commons. The bill has not yet reached the Second Reading stage in the House of Commons. It was first read on May 28, 2025, and had its Second Reading debate in the Senate on October 28, 2025, followed by a response speech on November 26, 2025. The bill's current status is 'At consideration in committee in the Senate.' The artifact also notes similar bills introduced in previous Parliaments.
This procedural record for Bill S-220 shows that the House of Commons consideration in committee stage has not yet been reached, despite the bill having progressed through readings and committee referral in the Senate.
The provided artifact is a procedural record for Bill S-220, which aims to designate the month of March as Hellenic Heritage Month. It indicates that the bill has reached the 'House of Commons Consideration in committee' stage but has not yet been considered at this stage. The record shows the bill's latest activity was its referral to a Senate committee on November 26, 2025, following its first reading on May 28, 2025, and second reading on October 28, 2025. Speeches from Senators Tony Loffreda and Leo Housakos during the second reading are noted. The artifact also references similar past bills.
Bill S-220, intended to designate March as Hellenic Heritage Month, has not yet reached the Report stage in the House of Commons and is currently being considered by a Senate committee.
This record indicates that Bill S-220, which aims to designate the month of March as Hellenic Heritage Month, has not yet reached the Report stage in the House of Commons. The bill's current status is under consideration in a Senate committee. The last recorded activity was its referral to a committee in the Senate on November 26, 2025. The bill had its first reading on May 28, 2025, and its second reading on October 28, 2025, in the Senate, which included speeches from Senator Tony Loffreda and Senator Leo Housakos.
Bill S-220, an Act to designate the month of March as Hellenic Heritage Month, is currently under consideration in a Senate committee, with its third reading in the House of Commons not yet reached.
This artifact describes the legislative process for Bill S-220, which aims to designate the month of March as Hellenic Heritage Month. The artifact indicates that the bill's current status is 'At consideration in committee in the Senate'. The House of Commons Third Reading stage is listed but marked as 'Not reached'. The latest activity recorded is the bill's referral to a Senate committee on November 26, 2025. The artifact also lists dates for first and second readings in the Senate, along with information about major speeches given during the second reading by Senators Tony Loffreda and Leo Housakos. It also notes similar bills, S-259 and C-276, introduced in previous parliamentary sessions.
Debate and sitting links point to official parliamentary sources when LEGISinfo publishes them. Any plain-language discussion summaries should be generated from those official texts and reviewed before public display.
Vote Summary
This bill is still active. We only show vote counts after the legislature publishes a recorded division.
No published representative vote breakdown
This bill is still moving through the process. When a recorded division is published, representative positions can be listed here.
Official sources
Status, sponsor, votes, and timeline on this page are drawn from these official legislative sources and public records. Each summary above is attributed to its own source.
How this data is sourced