Celebrating Latin American Heritage Month in Canada

Every October, Canada celebrates Latin American Heritage Month—a vibrant and meaningful time to honour the cultures, histories, and contributions of Latin Americans across the country. Officially recognized by Parliament in 2018 (Canada 2021), this month is more than a celebration; it’s an invitation to reflect critically on the role Latin American communities have played in shaping Canadian society, and to recommit ourselves to building a country where diversity is not just tolerated, but celebrated (Canada 2021). 

Since 1996, the population of Latin American immigrants to Canada has tripled (StatsCan 2024). Latin American Canadians—representing over a million people—have enriched Canada in countless ways (Inclan 2023). From medicine and education to the arts, diplomacy, and activism, Latin Americans have made lasting contributions to the social, economic, and cultural fabric of this country. Cities like Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Ottawa are home to thriving Latin American communities whose music, food, languages, and traditions have become part of Canada’s multicultural identity (Kulkarni 2022). 

Why This Month Matters—Now More Than Ever

Latin American Heritage Month is not just about celebration—it’s also about visibility and justice. In the current political climate, marked by rising anti-immigrant rhetoric and the spread of far-right ideologies across North America, it is more important than ever to affirm the value of immigrant communities and resist narratives rooted in white supremacy.

Latin Americans in Canada have long faced systemic barriers—from underrepresentation in education and media to inequities in employment and healthcare. For example, Latinx students in Ontario have been shown to face graduation barriers and disproportionate impacts from public health crises (Pérez et al. 2022).

Recognizing and celebrating our heritage is a powerful act of resistance against erasure and exclusion.

As a Latina immigrant raising Latin-Canadian children, I hold this month close to my heart. Canada has been a place of beautiful encounters across cultures—a country where my children can grow up seeing themselves as proudly Latinx and Canadian, without having to choose sides or feel like they don’t belong.

I want them to know that their identities are rich, complex, and worthy of celebration. I want them to see their stories reflected in classrooms, libraries, and public life.

What You Can Do

This month, we invite you to join us in learning, celebrating, and reflecting. Visit our Anti-Racism Collection and Diversity Library to explore curated resources for adults and children. We are also using our books of the month to highlight 2 books that celebrate Latin American stories

Books of the Month:

• Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
  A beautiful picture book that explores the richness of family stories and helps children understand their place in their own family’s history and how our names connect us to our ancestors.
• The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
  A powerful young adult novel in verse about a Dominican-American teen finding her voice through poetry and exploring cultural identity, and the complexities of faith and family dynamics.

Latin American Heritage Month is a time to honour the past, celebrate the present, and imagine a future where all our children feel seen, valued, and empowered. Consider and choose what you can do this month to deepen your understanding, challenge harmful narratives, and build communities rooted in justice and joy.

References

Canada. 2021. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2021/10/statement-on-latin-american-heritage-month.html.

Canada. 2024. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2024/09/statement-by-minister-khera-on-latin-american-heritage-month.html.

Inclan, Isabel. 2023. “New statistics reveal Canada’s Latin American community includes more than 1.1 million people.” New Canadian Media, November 7, 2023. https://www.newcanadianmedia.ca/new-statistics-reveal-canadas-latin-american-community-includes-more-than-1-1-million-people/.

Kulkarni, Akshay. 2022. “Number of Latin American people in B.C. up significantly since 2016, census shows.” CBC News (Vancouver), October 30, 2022. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/latin-american-population-increase-bc-1.6634389.

Pérez, Rodrigo N., Shanti Morell, Stacy A., and Creech de Castro. 2022. “Analysis: Canada’s Latin American community is growing, and universities must improve teaching about the region.” Brighter World. https://brighterworld.mcmaster.ca/articles/analysis-canadas-latin-american-community-is-growing-and-universities-must-improve-teaching-about-the-region/.

StatsCan. 2024. “Latin American immigration to Canada.” Statistique Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2024042-eng.htm.