Opinion: New Lebanese Heritage Month A Chance To Celebrate Canada

Columnists

Published Jul 24, 2023 • 3 minute read

Lebanese pavilion at Heritage Festival in Edmonton Dancers at the Lebanese pavilion take part in the Edmonton Heritage Festival which is a three-day event that allows visitors to sample delicious food, see creative performances, and celebrate Canada’s multiculturalism. Taken on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at Hawrelak Park in Edmonton. Photo by Greg Southam /Postmedia

Canada names November as Lebanese Heritage Month. Unanimously approved by Canada’s Parliament, Bill S-246 received royal assent to become law on June 26.

The preamble of the bill states: “Whereas Lebanese Canadians have, for generations, made significant social, economic, cultural, religious, military, philanthropic and political contributions to our social fabric and to the strength, resiliency and diversity of our communities.” And the act states: “Throughout Canada, in each and every year, the month of November is to be known as ‘Lebanese Heritage Month.’ “

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We are deeply grateful to the Government of Canada, Sen. Jane Cordy, Sen. Pierre Dalphond, Nova Scotia MP Lena Metlege Diab, Edmonton MP Ziad Aboultaif, and all Canadian members of Parliament for their introduction, support and approval of this bill.

This is an historic recognition of the contributions of Canadians of Lebanese origin to the development and well-being of our socio-economic, cultural, and political landscape.

Beginning in the later part of the 19th century, young men and women from Syria or the Fertile Crescent made their way to America. It was their emancipation from the oppression of the Ottomans who conscripted young boys into the army and brought them to the front lines. Very few survived and returned to their families.

When French general Henri Joseph Gouraud declared the creation of Greater Lebanon on Sept. 1, 1920, many of the former families in Canada were known as Syrians. Indeed, two of our family’s early arrivals were in 1898; their origin was from Yanta, Syria.

However, in its present borders, of 10,452 square kilometres, the Republic of Lebanon was born and gained its independence on Nov. 22, 1943. The last French troops left Lebanon in April 1946. During the French occupation of Lebanon 1920–1946, young people continued to leave, although the occupiers were now the French and British.

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Early immigrants came by boat from many parts of Lebanon and took abode in all parts of Canada. To this day, Lebanese continue to join their families in Canada or come as independent professionals and tradespeople. Right from their early days, the Lebanese integrated into their new communities and became part and parcel of the Canadian society.

Indeed, they represent a cross-section of the Canadian community at large. Joe Ghiz of Prince Edward Island was the first Canadian premier of Lebanese origin. Catherine Fraser, former Alberta chief justice, is a Canadian of Lebanese origin.

In the Second World War, Alex and Stanley Halabi, from Hanna, joined Canada’s armed forces and went to Europe. Stanley died with many brothers as the Canadian troops attacked Monte Cassino in Italy.

The list is too large to include everyone, however, Lebanese Canadians are represented in all sectors: law, medicine, engineering, sports, business, banking, religion, philanthropy, and the list goes on.

Several other months are declared cultural heritage months for other Canadians of different origins. The common denominator must always be “Canadians.” Celebrating the heritage of any group within our society must also be inclusive of all people in our society so that we can all become knowledgeable of the cultures and traditions of one another.

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Canadians are all threads of the Canadian fabric. Together we gain interchangeable strength; alone any thread is delicate and weak. Canada deserves the honour of being our first and foremost recipient of our unequivocal allegiance.

I strongly believe that we must all be Canadians and if we insist on hyphenated names, let’s always say: Canadians of our respective heritage. As Canadians of Lebanese origin, we take pride in the history and achievements of our forefathers and every generation following them. We are proud to wave the Canadian flag anywhere in the world and declare with a stance of honour: We are Canadians.

Joe Hak is a notary public, founder and former president of the World Lebanon Cultural Union – Edmonton Chapter, and former vice-president of the Global World Lebanese Cultural Association.

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