National Bird of Canada Bill
Second Reading--Debate Continued
June 18, 2025
I rise today to support Bill S-221, An Act to provide for the recognition of the Canada jay as the national bird of Canada.
I would like to commend Senator Ataullahjan for her work and thank Senator Duncan and many others for their insightful comments. This bill, while symbolic, is deeply meaningful and really must take flight.
In a world where we sometimes lose our bearings, it becomes all the more crucial to focus on what brings us together. National symbols are not mere emblems. They embody our identity and forge a connection between our past, our present and our future. In that spirit, I would say that the Canada jay stands out brilliantly or, to stay on theme, it is a symbol worth crowing about.
The Canada jay is a true ambassador of the Canadian spirit, as it is resilient, sociable, resourceful and always ready to share a snack with a distracted hiker.
The Canada jay does not migrate. It remains steadfast even when temperatures drop below zero. It is a true Canadian and although the Canada jay admirably embodies the national spirit, it cannot eclipse the wealth of regional symbols that compose the mosaic of our identities.
As a senator from Quebec, I would also like to note the importance of our own majestic provincial bird, the snowy owl. Its gentle, golden eyes and silent flight personify vigilance and mystery. It soars over the northern skies with an elegance that would make a state-of-the-art drone blush.
Like many Quebecers, it heads south when the winter becomes too harsh, proof that even the most hardened species know when it is time to look for a bit of warmth. While the snowy owl keeps watch from icy heights, the Canada jay joins us down to earth in our forests, our trails, our memories. Together, they form an unlikely, but harmonious duo. One is the piercing gaze of the North, the other the familiar voice of our underbrush.
Senator Ataullahjan brilliantly described the Canada jay as lively, clever, intelligent, loyal and resilient. She highlighted its presence in all regions of our country and its ability to survive extreme temperatures.
Senator Duncan provided a valuable perspective by talking about inclusion, representation and the deep connection between this bird and Indigenous peoples. She reminded us that the Canada jay is a natural symbol of federalism for it does not shun any province or territory.
Honourable senators, more than 100 countries around the world have designated a national bird. Some have opted for majestic species, while others have chosen more modest but equally representative birds. It is therefore time for Canada, a land of endless forests and epic winters, to launch its ornithological identity.
Honourable colleagues, this bill is ready. It has been carefully considered and is supported by experts, citizens, researchers and nature enthusiasts. It does not require further, lengthy studies. It’s time to act.
Let’s give Canada a national bird that truly represents us: humble, loyal, intelligent and very much a part of the land we call home.
May the Canada jay take flight in our collective imagination as a symbol of who we are and who we aspire to be.
Maybe one day, our grandchildren will learn in school that Canada chose as its emblem a bird that braves storms courageously and shares with its neighbours, just like we do. Thank you.
Honourable senators, today I am pleased to rise to speak in support of Bill S-221, An Act to provide for the recognition of the Canada jay as the national bird of Canada.
I would like to thank Senator Ataullahjan for tabling this bill. Like her and my other colleagues who have spoken on this, I do believe that it is high time for us to answer the call of many Canadians and bird enthusiasts across Canada and designate the Canada jay as the national bird of Canada.
As you all know, I frequently stand up in the chamber to talk about agriculture or youth leadership. Although the subject of birds may seem off topic for me, I am pleased rise this evening to speak briefly to the bill.
I had the pleasure of meeting with Alternative Land Use Solutions, or ALUS, with some of my Senate colleagues earlier in May to learn about how farmers can use nature-based innovations to create positive economic, environmental and social change. During this visit, we learned that birds could support farmers by naturally removing pests and insects, thereby limiting the need for pesticides. We even met with a farmer in Gatineau who had introduced birdhouses on his farm to encourage more biodiversity, do away with aphids and foster more sustainable farming. So farmers like birds too.
However, as Senator Ataullahjan noted, birds are not only beneficial to our environment and our ecosystem, but they also have a symbolic meaning. Countries around the world have declared a national bird to symbolize their spirit, character and charm, but Canada has yet to follow suit. Canadian bird enthusiasts have been calling for this designation to be made, and there even appears to be an agreement on the choice of bird.
Thus, I support my colleague’s Bill S-221, An Act to provide for the recognition of the Canada jay as the national bird of Canada, because I believe that Canadians should have a national bird that embodies our Canadian lifestyle, culture and spirit.
Additionally, I believe that the Canada jay accurately symbolizes what it means to be Canadian, and it has a great name too. The Canada jay, previously known as the grey jay, is a fascinating, resilient and resourceful bird that lives year-round in the northern or high-elevated boreal forests throughout Canada.
As one of Canada’s hardiest species, regardless of rain or shine, blizzard or frost, the Canada jay perseveres in its habitat, just as Canadians do. In fact, unlike other common birds, Canada jays nest during the late winter, even when temperatures drop well below zero degrees Celsius.
Like many Canadians, the Canada jay embraces the winter and does not shy away from difficulty. They are extremely resourceful and intelligent, collecting food during the warmer months to hide behind bark and on tree branches to feed themselves throughout the winter. They exemplify strength, adaptability and resilience — three qualities that Canadians hold close to their hearts.
They’ve learned how to take advantage of the warmer months throughout the year to thrive during the harsh northern winters. I know that some of our colleagues are very familiar with this lifestyle as well.
They are extremely curious and very friendly birds with Canadians and visitors alike. If you’re in Canada jay territory and hold out a handful of berries or raisins, a Canada jay is sure to visit for a quick bite to eat.
As we all know, Canadians are known for our kindness and that we all say “sorry” a bit too much, but I believe the inviting nature of the Canada jay very closely reflects the friendly and welcoming nature for which Canadians are known around the world.
I am actually in awe of this majestic bird and its ability to withstand cold temperatures and take advantage of its landscapes and ecosystem, in addition to its curiosity and strength — just as I’m in awe of Canadians across this great country.
In 2018, the American Ornithological Society, which has authority over common names for all North American birds, voted to change the common name of the grey jay to the Canada jay. In fact, before 1947, the grey jay was already known as the Canada jay.
Dan Strickland, a retired Algonquin Provincial Park chief naturalist, who was foundational in changing the grey jay to the Canada jay, said that this bird, “. . . is part of the psyche and national character of Canada.”
The Canada jay also won a countrywide contest held by the Canadian Geographic in 2016 to choose a national bird of Canada. Thus, it is clear that Canadians across the country are calling on us to designate the Canada jay as our national bird, and it is time for us to answer the call and pass this bill swiftly to give the Canada jay the recognition it deserves.
If Canada is to choose a national bird to represent our great nation, what better bird to choose than the Canada jay? After all, it has a wonderful name.
Thank you. Meegwetch.
