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Background Information

Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees has once again introduced his private member’s Bill, “An Act to proclaim April 2nd ‘Pope John Paul II Day’ in Ontario in the Ontario Legislature on December 13, 2007. This Bill was first introduced in the last Session of the Legislature on April 2nd, 2007 but did not make it past first reading, as Parliament was prorogued. Over 50,000 petitions were delivered to Queen’s Park in support of the Bill from the Catholic community and beyond.

Klees encourages anyone interested in the passage of this Bill to forward petitions not only to his attention, but to any Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Petitions signed by people from other jurisdictions and countries will also be acknowledged in the Legislature.

Klees has said that it was apparent from the broad support when this Bill was first introduced in the last session of Parliament that people recognize Pope John Paul’s contribution beyond that of a spiritual leader. The late Pope is remembered for his tireless efforts to bridge religious, racial and cultural divides and for that his life is celebrated by people of all faiths. In introducing the bill, Klees noted that Pope John Paul visited Ontario twice during his long pontificate where he was enthusiastically greeted by Ontario’s diverse religious and cultural communities.

In a May 29, 2007 letter to Klees from the Vatican Secretariat of State, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his support for Klees’ “laudable initiative.” Klees’ bill also has the endorsement of the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops and its president, the Most Reverend James Mathew Wingle, Bishop of St Catharines. The Archbishop of Toronto, the Most Reverend Thomas Collins said in support of the Bill: “I am pleased to see that the memory and extensive contributions of Pope John Paul II continue to be recognized by people of all faiths.”