Poland in Canada

For the first time beginning this year and every year following, Polish Heritage Month will be celebrated for the entire month of May in Ontario  On this occasion, the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Toronto has prepared a special graphic that will provide the visual setting for the events associated with Polish Heritage Month in Ontario.

The celebration begins with the following events:

• May 2nd marks Polish Flag Day and Polish Diaspora Day celebrates Poles Abroad - on this day we encourage you to display the Polish flag.

• May 3rd marks the 231st anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of May 3 - the second such democratic document in the world, introduced shortly after the US and the first in Europe. It codified basic law regulating the organization of state authorities and the rights and obligations of citizens.

Numerous Polish organizations, institutions and individuals are intimately involved in the preparation of events to celebrate Polish Heritage Month in Ontario. A dedicated link to the Polish Heritage Month calendar of events has been shared on our website. The Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Toronto has organized Polish flag raising ceremonies to be held in front of several city halls: Toronto, Mississauga, Kitchener and Niagara Falls.

 

For up-to-date information on Polish Heritage Month events please visit our website:

Join with us:

- May 3rd, at 9.30pm - The Lighting of Niagara Falls in the Red and White of Poland's national colors.

- May 8th, at 12.00pm - A parade to mark the 231st Anniversary of the Polish Constitution in Toronto (the parade begins at Nathan Philips Square).

Check back frequently for new events to be announced soon.  

For more information please contact us: toronto.rsvp@msz.gov.pl

 

Basic information:

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario established month May as the Polish Heritage Month in Ontario. So called Bill 18 was introduced as a private bill by MPP Christine Hogarth. The bill received Royal Assent on December 9, 2021 by The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell.

Ontario is home for over than half million people with Polish heritage. The Polish community is one of the most numerous groups in Ontario. This great group of Canadians of Polish origin has been participating in building Canada for generations to enrich its culture and heritage and become integral part of its multicultural community. Poles raise their children as part of the Canadian community and with respect to its values. Most of the Canadian families with Polish origin want to raise their descendants also in acquaintance with the language, culture and traditions of the country of their ancestors. By proclaiming the month of May as Polish Heritage Month, the Province of Ontario recognized great impact that Polish Canadians have had on Ontario's history, culture and community.

Polish Heritage Month will be celebrated each May, commemorating Constitution Day in Poland -  the implementation of the first democratic and progressive constitution in Europe on May 3^rd, 1791. This is one of the most important dates in Poland’s  history and marks the centuries log struggle for freedom and independence by the Polish people. Polish Heritage Month is an opportunity to bring closer to Ontarians of all ages and backgrounds Polish history and traditions. Ontario is a proud region of many cultures and proclaiming May as Polish Heritage Month is reflecting core values of its habitants.

More information: https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-2/bill-18