Journal · News · 9 November 2026 · four minutes
Lebanese Heritage Month 2026: 11,900 neighbours.
On 1 November the Government of Canada opened the fourth official Lebanese Heritage Month. Lebanese Independence Day falls on Sunday 22 November. Ottawa counts 11,900 residents born in Lebanon.
In short
- The month
- November, set by the Lebanese Heritage Month Act (S.C. 2023, c. 13). 2026 is the fourth official one.
- The statement
- Ottawa, 1 November 2026: Ministers Marc Miller and Lena Metlege Diab.
- Independence Day
- Sunday 22 November 2026.
- Ottawa
- 11,900 residents born in Lebanon, fourth among the city's immigrant birthplaces (Census 2021).
What the government said on 1 November.
The joint statement opens the month and sets out why Canada marks it.
Canadian Heritage · statement · Ottawa, 1 November 2026
Lebanese Heritage Month 2026 opened on 1 November with a joint statement from Marc Miller, the minister responsible for Canadian Heritage, and Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. They call it the "fourth official Lebanese Heritage Month in Canada" and wish everyone a happy Lebanese Independence Day on 22 November (Canadian Heritage statement).
The statement dates the first generation of Lebanese immigrants to the early 1880s, in Montréal and Halifax, and ties the month to Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy 2024-2028 and the Action Plan on Combatting Hate. The month itself comes from an Act of Parliament: the Lebanese Heritage Month Act names November across Canada.
Throughout November, we invite everyone to discover the rich history as well as diverse traditions and cultures of Lebanese Canadians.
The same week, Lebanon's foreign minister was due in Ottawa. Global Affairs Canada announced a bilateral meeting between Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Youssef Raggi, Lebanon's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, on Friday 6 November in Ottawa (Global Affairs Canada media advisory).
How many Lebanese live in Ottawa.
Census 2021 counts 11,900 Ottawa residents born in Lebanon, up from 10,995 in 2016. Lebanon moved from third to fourth among the city's immigrant birthplaces as arrivals from India grew faster.
Statistics Canada · Census 2016 and 2021 · City of Ottawa
| Measure | Census 2016 | Census 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Residents born in Lebanon | 10,995 · 3rd birthplace | 11,900 · 4th birthplace |
| Share of all immigrants | 5.1% | 4.6% |
| Recent arrivals from Lebanon | 895 · 8th | 1,045 · 9th |
| Residents counted as Arab | 40,925 · 4.5% | 58,180 · 5.8% |
Children born in Ottawa to Lebanese families are counted as Canadian-born, so the community itself runs larger than the birthplace line. The full answer to how many Lebanese in Ottawa, with the kitchen, the language and the July festival at St. Elias, is on our Lebanese Ottawa page.
What a community board can plan now.
Four dates set the calendar from this November to the next: Independence Day, the next federal events intake, a festival weekend in September 2027 and the fifth Lebanese Heritage Month.
For Lebanese associations, parishes and cultural groups in Ottawa
- 0122 November 2026: Lebanese Independence Day, inside Lebanese Heritage Month
- 0213 January – 24 February 2027: MARP Events intake for events from 1 August to 30 November 2027
- 03September 2027: a community pavilion at Capital Cultures, fee $0
- 04November 2027: the fifth Lebanese Heritage Month
- An event in November 2027 falls in the federal intake that runs from 13 January to 24 February 2027. Canadian Heritage's Events component funds public events that bring communities together; the details are in our MARP Events article.
- A pavilion at the festival costs a community $0, and 100% of its takings stay with it. The application takes about ten minutes, and a person answers within ten working days.
- The community page is written with the community: families and organisations can correct and sign Lebanese Ottawa.
- The other November month is Hindu Heritage Month; the full list is in heritage months in Canada.
Questions.
Short answers, each from the source named in the article.
Lebanese Heritage Month 2026
When is Lebanese Heritage Month in Canada?
Every November. The Lebanese Heritage Month Act (S.C. 2023, c. 13) sets the month across Canada, and 2026 is the fourth official Lebanese Heritage Month.
When is Lebanese Independence Day in 2026?
On 22 November, a Sunday in 2026. The federal statement of 1 November wishes everyone celebrating a happy Lebanese Independence Day on that date.
How many Lebanese live in Ottawa?
Census 2021 counts 11,900 Ottawa residents born in Lebanon, fourth among the city's immigrant birthplaces, up from 10,995 in 2016. Children born here to Lebanese families are counted as Canadian-born, so the community is larger. Lebanese Ottawa.
Can a Lebanese association get federal funding for a November 2027 event?
Events from 1 August to 30 November 2027 apply to the MARP Events component between 13 January and 24 February 2027, 4 pm ET. Canadian Heritage decides eligibility. MARP Events funding for 2027.
What does a pavilion at Capital Cultures cost a community?
The pavilion fee is $0, and 100% of the takings stay with the community. The application takes about ten minutes, and a person answers within ten working days.