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e-3743 (Holidays and observances)

E-petition
Initiated by Clinton Ekdahl from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Government of Canada

Whereas:
  • There are 10,000 beekeepers in Canada and honey production added $209 million in 2020;
  • Honey bees pollinate plants that provide about 1/3 of our food, including meat and dairy, in addition to honey, beeswax, pollen, and other products;
  • The Canadian Honey Council estimates honey bees pollination value to crops is over $2 billion annually;
  • 80% of all plants and more than 130 fruits and vegetables are dependent upon honey bees and yet they are disappearing;
  • The honey bee has been under serious threat due to disease, pesticides and environmental conditions that threaten the future of agriculture in Canada;
  • Honey bees are disappearing at unsustainable rates in Canada for reasons neither fully explained nor understood;
  • The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-foods has supported this initiative;
  • There has been overwhelming municipal and provincial support for a "Day of the Honey Bee" since 2010; and
  • A House of Commons motion, M-192, supported a "Day of the Honey Bee".
We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:
1. Proclaim and declare that May 29th shall be known as the "Day of the Honey Bee" in Canada in perpetuity; and
2. Make public, on this day annually, through press release any and all efforts, endeavours and projects undertaken to safeguard these keystone species, and send copies to the Canadian Honey Council and Clinton Shane Ekdahl in writing.

Response by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, PC, MP

Insect pollinators play an essential ecological and agricultural role, and are critical to the production of many crops. With over 700 native species in Canada, and with the contribution of introduced managed species like honey bees, bees are the most common pollinators.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) works with beekeepers, federal and provincial officials, and other relevant groups to ensure that beekeeping is a successful industry in Canada. AAFC works nationally with provincial governments and other federal departments and agencies, as well as with industry representation from the beekeeping, honey, horticulture, grains, oilseeds, seeds and crop protection sectors to address issues affecting honeybee health.

Despite a number of challenges, the Canadian beekeeping industry has continued to grow for the past 30 years. According to Statistics Canada, in 2021, there were 13,105 beekeepers in Canada, 1,111 more than in 2020. In 2021 beekeepers kept a record high 810,496 colonies of honeybees which represents a 6% increase over 2020 and is 3.4% higher than the average of the previous four years. Beekeepers produced $278 million worth of honey in 2021, a 39% increase over the 2020 harvest value, and a 44% increase over the annual value of the harvest in the previous four years. 

Canada supports the concept of a day to celebrate the contribution of honey bees. A few years ago, Slovenia proposed that the United Nations (UN) proclaim May 20th as World Bee Day. On December 20th 2017, following three years of international efforts, the UN Member States, including Canada, unanimously approved Slovenia's proposal and May 20th was proclaimed World Bee Day. Canadian beekeepers are also members of the international beekeepers association, Apimondia, which celebrates and supports May 20th as World Bee Day.

Open for signature
December 20, 2021, at 4:21 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
April 19, 2022, at 4:21 p.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Corey Tochor (Saskatoon—University)
June 8, 2022 (Petition No. 441-00551)
Government response tabled
September 20, 2022
Photo - Corey Tochor
Saskatoon—University
Conservative Caucus
Saskatchewan