The province of Saskatchewan will become the first in Canada to proclaim December as Christian Heritage Month, while Calgary will become the next municipality to do so.According to a government document shared with the Western Standard, Saskatchewan’s proclamation will be officially declared December 4. The document includes a royal seal and was signed by Alana Ross, Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport.The City of Calgary is also making this declaration, according to a Facebook post by Christian Music Festival. Molly Banerjei, Toronto realtor and CEO of the festival, spearheaded the heritage month campaign. The Indian-born Banerjei thanked Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek for her cooperation.“From one brown girl to another—thank you for taking this historic step. Calgary has now become a truly inclusive city, honoring the contributions of Christian communities and celebrating diversity,” Banerjei wrote..In an interview with Western Standard, Banerjei expressed appreciation that the Saskatchewan government, whose power was renewed following the November 13 election, moved so quickly to make the declaration.“Oh, my goodness. I'm ecstatic,” Banerjei said. “I expect this to happen in every province. I'm disappointed that Ontario wasn't the first one, because I live here.”Banerjei said she met Ontario Premier Doug Ford at community events three times this year and broached the subject of Christian Heritage Month each time. According to Banerjei, Ford did not refuse, but told her to make an appointment with his assistant. However, Banerjei’s efforts never resulted in a meeting.“We have an MPP who is willing to introduce the motion. We just need him [Ford] to cooperate with us and get it done, just like Saskatchewan,” Banerjei said.“I want to use this opportunity to hold his feet to the fire and say, ‘You are the one who always says promises made, promises kept, okay? This is one promise that you need to keep, and you haven't done it as yet.’”Banerjei said Saskatchewan's acknowledgement may help her persuade other municipalities and provinces to encourage them to make their own proclamations..Edmonton, Calgary, UCP government stall Christian Heritage Month declaration.“Now I'm going to go after New Brunswick. New Brunswick had said to me, ‘Give us proof that some other province has also done it.’ So now I can give them the proof this is done. And so now it's your turn. Now do the right thing and just do it,” Banerjei explained.A petition at ChristianHeritageMonth.ca calls on the federal government to also declare the month. Banerjei persuaded Scarborough Liberal MP Jean Yip to have a Christmas reception on Parliament Hill later this month.On November 27, Yip tabled a motion to Parliament that “in the opinion of the House, the government should designate the month of December, every year, as Canadian Christian Month.” Her motion said December was an appropriate choice given Christmas and the Advent Season were celebrated by 19.3 million Christians. The motion, which has not been put to a vote, also said “Christianity in Canada is an example of our diversity, as Canada is home to more than 340 Christian denominations.”.BC government cites Christmas as a reason to deny Christian Heritage Month.Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu for Sarnia-Lambton introduced Bill C-369 on December 5, 2023 calling for the federal government to recognize Christian Heritage Month, but it has made no progress.Banerjei said the City of Estevan, Saskatchewan (pop. 10,851) is ready to join at least 37 municipalities in declaring Christian Heritage Month, provided someone can receive the proclamation in person.“I told them it’s impossible for me,” Banerjei said. “So if we can find someone locally there, just go and represent, they will just give it. They'll have their ceremony.”York Region in Ontario also made the proclamation on December 3. The City of Vancouver refused Banerjei’s request to declare December Christian Heritage Month despite having several other months that acknowledge ethnic groups or religions.Banerjei is also trying to get “Merry Christmas” to appear on Toronto Transit Corporation buses and for the Toronto District School Board to acknowledge December as Christian Heritage Month.
