3rd Session, 43rd Legislature

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Bill 225

THE DEAF AWARENESS WEEK AND DAY OF SIGN LANGUAGES ACT (COMMEMORATION OF DAYS, WEEKS AND MONTHS ACT AMENDED)

(Assented to                                         )

HIS MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, enacts as follows:

C.C.S.M. c. C150.5 amended

1   The Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act is amended by this Act.

2   The following is added as a Schedule:

SCHEDULE
DEAF AWARENESS WEEK AND DAY OF SIGN LANGUAGES

WHEREAS Manitobans of all abilities are deserving of respect, dignity and freedom to meaningfully participate in society;

AND WHEREAS deaf and hard of hearing people make invaluable contributions to communities throughout Manitoba despite facing unique barriers;

AND WHEREAS the World Federation of the Deaf was founded on September 23, 1951;

AND WHEREAS communities around the world have celebrated the last full week of September as International Week of Deaf People for decades and September 23 as International Day of Sign Languages since 2018;

AND WHEREAS American Sign Language, Quebec Sign Language and Indigenous sign languages are distinct systems of communication that are essential to deaf culture and identity in Manitoba;

AND WHEREAS promoting deaf awareness will increase public knowledge and acceptance of deaf culture, sign languages and assistive technologies and services;

AND WHEREAS increased deaf awareness paves the way for greater community involvement, economic participation, educational outcomes and self-determination and a deeper sense of belonging for deaf and hard of hearing Manitobans;

AND WHEREAS greater deaf awareness will help Manitoba become a leader in advancing accessibility in Canada;

THEREFORE the following is proclaimed throughout Manitoba:

Deaf Awareness Week and Day of Sign Languages

1   In each year, the last full week of September is to be known as Deaf Awareness Week and September 23 is to be known as Day of Sign Languages.

Coming into force

3   This Act comes into force on the day it receives royal assent.