EXCLUSIVE: Three cities that proclaimed Christian Heritage Month refuse in 2025

A Scarborough woman who spearheaded efforts to have Christian Heritage Month proclaimed across Canada last December says some cities who were onside last year are refusing in 2025.

Molly Banerjei, an Indian-born real estate agent in the Toronto area, says the initiative has met resistance in a few places it formerly found success.

“Our athiest friends have become very angry with the results of Christian Heritage Month, and so they're going through our website, and one by one, they're doing their very best to unravel it. But, they've been successful in three cities so far.”

Okotoks, Alberta has reversed course, Banerjei says, as have Coburg and Weinfleet in Ontario. 

Banerjei recalled her conversation with officials from Okotoks regarding why they would not proclaim the month in 2025.

“They said, ‘Well, some people came and they said, “We're not happy with it.”’ So then, then, I said, ‘How can you just change your policy, just because some people are unhappy now? What about the fact that all of us now are unhappy? What are you going to do about it?’” Banerjei said.

Banerjei was surprised that Weinfleet won’t declare the month again. Last year, the mayor of the 7,300 person community said he would raise the Christian Heritage Month flag whatever day it arrived.

Coburg’s reversal also surprised Banerjei, as the city is 55% Christian. “I spoke to the deputy mayor and and she said to me, ‘Well, when you first came to us, you wanted it to be heritage, and we were happy about it, but now we realize this is all to do with faith and religion, and so we just want to stay away from that.’”

The response didn’t make sense to Banerjei.

“So the heritage of Canada is Christian. How can you separate the heritage from Christian faith?” she said.

“I said to her, ‘You guys still have heritage buildings that you're very proud of preserving. And most of these heritage buildings will have their roots in Christianity, because most of these places were where Christian work happened, community work happened. They were operating as hospitals or schools.’”

Last month, Banerjei emailed an appeal to Coburg’s mayor and city council, pointing out many Christian heritage buildings in the city, and the administration’s equity, diversity, and inclusion policies.

“If EDI is truly a core value, it must be applied consistently and fairly to all communities, including Christians,” Banerjei wrote. “Moreover, Christian Heritage Month is not seeking a platform to promote a religion, but a cultural and historical recognition…Denying this recognition while honoring other heritage months demonstrates selective inclusivity, which contradicts the principles of fairness and equity.”

Banerjei insists a double standard is at play, given Coburg refused in 2025 after responding to a series of appeals last year.

“These atheists are offended. Now, I'm offended. Excuse me, we worked on it for six months. So why is it that their offense is better than ours, and you can't afford to offend them, but it's okay to offend us?”

The Western Standard reached out to the cities of Okotoks and Coburn and the mayor of Weinfleet, but did not receive a response.

Banerjei said she is continuing her efforts across Canada and that over 50 municipalities, three regions, and the Province of Saskatchewan either have or will declare Christian Heritage Month. 

The City of Regina has confirmed it will renew its participation in 2025. Banerjei said Calgary has not confirmed their renewal, so she has appealed to Mayor Jyoti Gondek.