Bill 111 Original (PDF)
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Bill proclaims the month of April in each year as Nepali Heritage Month.
Bill 111 2026
An Act to proclaim the month of April as Nepali Heritage Month
Preamble
Nepali immigrants first started to arrive in Canada following the beginning of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Canada in 1965, with significant movement of migration in 1996 and 2012. Since then, Canada has been home to tens of thousands of people of Nepali origin and ancestry, with the highest concentration of people residing in Ontario. Nepali Ontarians have built a strong community, especially in the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, London, Windsor, Hamilton, Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo regions.
Nepal is known for its beautiful mountainous landscape and is home to Sagarmatha, most commonly known as Mount Everest, the highest mountain above sea level in the world. Nepal is also widely noted as a land of spirituality and is a diverse multi-faith nation-state. Over 120 languages spoken are spoken in Nepal; the prominent languages being Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Newari, Bajjika, Magar and Dotyali. Nepal’s traditional and cultural landscape is shaped by these languages and ethnic identities. Nepali festivals, such as Dashain, Tihar and Teej, centre their celebrations on ancient traditions which honour shared familial bonds and the elders of the community as well as the collective appreciation of Nepali music, dance and cuisine.
The Nepal calendar, also known as the Bikram Samvat, is a unique lunisolar calendar that runs just over 56 years ahead of the Gregorian Calendar. Its first month falls in April and marks the Nepali New Year and the subsequent Biska Jatra Festival.
In proclaiming the month of April as Nepali Heritage Month, the Province of Ontario recognizes and affirms the indispensable contributions the Nepali community has made to the political, social, economic, spiritual and cultural fabric of the province and of the country as a whole. Nepali Heritage Month is a time to honour the heritage, achievements and contributions of Nepali Ontarians, and to inspire future generations by recognizing their ongoing role in building vibrant, diverse and inclusive communities across the province.
Therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:
Nepali Heritage Month
1 The month of April in each year is proclaimed as Nepali Heritage Month.
Commencement
2 This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.
Short title
3 The short title of this Act is the Nepali Heritage Month Act, 2026.