WHEREAS, In 2004, the Government of Ontario proclaimed Bill 33: An Act Proclaiming Irish Heritage Day – March 17, the day of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of the Irish; and
WHEREAS, The Government of Canada marked the first official Irish Heritage Month in Canada in March of 2022; and
WHEREAS, Today almost 4.6 million Canadians in towns and cities across Canada can trace their ancestry back to Ireland; and
WHEREAS, Irish Canadians have greatly contributed to the story of our country, province and town and this month is an opportunity to learn more about their history, culture and positive impacts to our local community; and
WHEREAS, The Celtic Academy Irish Dance Canada with ten locations in Ontario, and one within Collingwood, is celebrating the month with numerous Irish Dance classes and camps; and
NOW THEREFORE, I, Yvonne Hamlin, Mayor of the Town of Collingwood,
DO HEREBY PROCLAIM March 2026 as “Irish Heritage Month” in the Town of Collingwood.
Dated this 11th day of March 2026.