Johnny Ayalew of ethiofidel.com had an exclusive interview with Tom Rakocevic, Member of Provincial Parliament of Ontario (MPP) for Humber River – Black Creek. Tom proposed the bill to introduce Orthodox Christian Week in Ontario, Canada every year following the Orthodox Easter .
Please read the full interview.
Ethiofidel Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
MPP Tom Hello, I’m Tom Rakocevic, Member of Provincial Parliament for my life long home of Humber River – Black Creek in northwest Toronto and Member of Ontario’s NDP Official Opposition at Queen’s Park. I am also the Ontario NDP’s Official Opposition critic for Auto Insurance and Consumer Protection.
Ethiofidel. What inspired you to propose the Orthodox Christian Week Act?
MPP Tom Ontario’s rich diversity is a great strength. I am of Orthodox Christian faith and I am proud to have introduced a bill to proclaim an annual week that would officially recognize and celebrate the Orthodox Christian faith.
Here in Ontario, people come from all over the world to build a better life and also bring their many different cultures, traditions, faiths and more. While the Province of Ontario officially recognizes and commemorates a variety of cultural, heritage and faith based days, weeks or months, there was no official recognition of Orthodox Christianity.
Ethiofidel In what ways did you include the inputs of the communities in proposing the Bill?
MPP Tom : I tabled the first reading of Bill 161, Eastern Orthodox Christian Week Act, 2023 very recently in December of last year. While it is still very early in the process, I encourage interested individuals to reach out to my office at TRakocevic-CO@ndp.on.ca to share your thoughts on the bill as it moves forward in the process. There may be committee hearings where the public will be able to provide input. I look forward to continue to connect with community members on this exciting new bill.
Ethiofidel What insights are included in the proclamation and what stage is it at?
MPP Tom : The Bill would officially recognize the Orthodox Christian faith and highlights the presence of many Orthodox Christians here in Ontario. The bill was introduced in December 2023 and has already passed first reading. To become law, the bill will need to pass second and third reading before being proclaimed. It is my hope that we can celebrate as early as next year.
Ethiofidel How does this act contribute to foster diversity and cultural exchange?
MPP Tom If passed this bill will celebrate and recognize the presence of Orthodox Christians here in Ontario by proclaiming Eastern Orthodox Christian week every year commencing on Orthodox Easter Sunday. It is a great joy to share and learn from other traditions, cultures and faiths, and with this proclamation, Orthodox Christians will have a special week of their own, here in Ontario, like many other faiths and heritages.
Ethiofidel : In what ways do you envision that all Orthodox churches will be included in activities to celebrate the Eastern Orthodox Christian Week when it is implemented?
MPP Tom As with other special proclaimed days, weeks and months here in Ontario, it is really up to the recognized community or faith to creatively lead their own festivities and activities, because after all, they know best about their own faith or culture. If this Bill passes, I look forward to working closely with Orthodox Christians to make the annual Eastern Orthodox Christian Week in Ontario meaningful.
Ethiofidel: Thank you MPP Tom for your time .
If you would like to read the proposed bill , you can find it here . https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-43/session-1/bill-161
If you would like to reach out to MPP Tom about the bill , please contact his office here : 2300 Finch Ave W #38, North York, ON M9M 2C6 , Phone 416-743-7272
Picture from MPP Tom Office .
