O Canada: Special Initiatives

 
The National Anthem Debate
Bill S-39 was introduced in the Senate on February 19, 2002. The Bill, entitled "An Act to Amend the National Anthem Act to Include all Canadians" replaces the words "thy sons" with "of us" in the national anthem so that the line reads as "true patriot love in all of us command". As a result of prorogation, in September, 2002, it was necessary to reintroduce Bill S-39 as Bill S-3 on October 3, 2002. Bill S-3 died in the Senate during third reading debates, after receiving the unanimous support of the Committee examining it, following prorogation in December, 2003.

Bill S-39, An Act to Amend the National Anthem Act to Include all Canadians, Second Reading, February 21, 2002.
Bill S-3, An Act to Amend the National Anthem Act to Include all Canadians, Second Reading, October 23, 2002 (previously Bill S-39)

Bill S-3 was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, on June 10, 2003.
The Committee Hearing on Bill S-3 was held on October 23, 2003 at 11 a.m. in Room 256-S, Centre Block, Parliament Hill, Ottawa.

Result: Bill S-3 received unanimous support from the Committee, and was reported back to the Senate without amendment. It was in Third Reading debates in the Senate when Parliament prorogued.

Bill S-3: An Act to Amend the National Anthem Act to Include all Canadians, Third Reading, October 29, 2003.

What Canadians are Saying