On June 1st, Canadian politician Steven Guilbeault (PC/ MP) honored Portuguese Heritage Month, celebrated in June across Canada, with an official statement highlighting the rich history, culture, and contributions of Portuguese Canadians.
Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, released the following:
OTTAWA, June 1, 2025
In June, we are pleased to mark Portuguese Heritage Month, an opportunity to celebrate the history and culture of the Luso-Canadian community, an integral part of our national fabric.
Portuguese people have made Canada their home since the early 1950s—most of them from the Azores and Madeira—in search of a better life. Armed with their courage and will, they settled on Canadian soil to help create the country we cherish today.
More than 500 years after the first Portuguese explorers set foot in Canada, there are now almost 500,000 people of Portuguese origin living here. Present in all our major cities, they form one of the largest Portuguese diasporas in the world. They also excel in a variety of fields; from education and politics to the arts, finance and community service, members of Luso-Canadian communities are making Canada stronger through their vitality and hard work.
Throughout June, I invite everyone to celebrate the heritage and culture of Luso-Canadians and to mark Portugal Day on June 10. Dia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas is the perfect time to reflect on what unites us and recognize just how significantly our fellow citizens of Portuguese origin have contributed to our culture and diversity.
Happy Portuguese Heritage Month!
Portuguese Heritage Month, celebrated across Canada in June, honors the rich history, culture, and contributions of Portuguese Canadians. The month also highlights Portugal Day on June 10, commemorating the death of Luís de Camões, a revered poet and national literary icon.
In November 2017, the Canadian House of Commons unanimously passed Motion M-126, officially designating June as Portuguese Heritage Month and June 10 as Portugal Day in Canada. This motion recognizes the significant contributions of Portuguese Canadians to the nation’s cultural and social fabric.
According to the 2021 Census, approximately 448,310 Canadians reported Portuguese ancestry, making up about 1.21% of the population. The majority reside in Ontario, with significant communities in Quebec and British Columbia.
Portuguese Heritage Month is marked by various events across Canadian cities, namely in Toronto, home to one of the largest Portuguese communities, hosting the annual Portugal Day Parade along Dundas Street West in Little Portugal. This vibrant event features traditional music, dance, and cuisine. Portuguese-Canadian communities in Red Deer, Peterborough, and across Saskatchewan also host events recognizing Portuguese culture and contributions.
PAJ/Staff
