Request a proclamation

Suitable occasions or events for proclamations are those that:

• Have significance or general application to BC
• Observe milestones, recognize achievements or direct attention to a worthy cause
• Are apolitical
• Would not be considered offensive or frivolous by the public

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Proclamation submission guidelines

Please review these guidelines before requesting a proclamation.

Submit requests for proclamations 8 to 10 weeks before the date of the occasion or event to be proclaimed. If your request is related to multiculturalism or anti-racism, submit your request at least 14 weeks before the date to be proclaimed.

Submit new requests each year for annually recurring occasions or events, which are subject to the same review process.

Information to include in a request

Email the following information to BCProclamations@gov.bc.ca:

• Contact information
• Proclamation title and date(s)
• Draft proclamation
• Sources for data, statistics or claims (if any)

Is the proclamation health-related? See Requests involving health-related topics.

Is the proclamation multiculturalism or anti-racism related? See Requests related to multiculturalism or anti-racism.

Need a copy of the proclamation before the occasion or event? See Special requests for early delivery.

Contact information

Provide your full name, organization name (if applicable) and mailing address. If the proclamation is approved and finalized, a signed hard copy will be mailed to the address provided, and a PDF copy will be emailed to you.

Title and date(s)

Include the proposed title (ending in “Day,” “Week” or “Month”) and date(s) of the requested proclamation. If applicable, include any special timing request (see Special requests for early delivery).

Draft proclamation

Include proposed wording for the “Whereas” clauses only of the proclamation, formatted as a series of three (3) to five (5) complete sentences. See Example draft proclamation for a sample outline and examples of best practices in BC proclamations.

• Has a clear and focused subject that does not directly conflict with or significantly overlap with other proclamations made in the same year
• Shows significance or general application to BC
• Follows plain language principles and BC government guidelines for Inclusive Language and Terms
• Does not assume beliefs or opinions on behalf of British Columbians or any group of people generally
• Avoids first person pronouns (I, my, we, our)

Sources for data, statistics or claims (if any)

Provide authoritative sources or references for any data, statistics or claims in your draft proclamation, unless your request involves a health-related topic (see Requests involving health-related topics).

Requests involving health-related topics

For requests involving health-related topics, omit any numbers, dates, statistics and any detailed medical or health-related information. This includes data more appropriately distributed by health authorities, by medical professionals and on other appropriate platforms.

The Ministry of Health has determined that this type of information is not appropriate to include in health-related proclamations, which should be of a more general nature.

Requests related to multiculturalism or anti-racism

For requests related to multiculturalism or anti-racism, there is a 14-week submission deadline. If you are not sure whether your request is multiculturalism or anti-racism related, email us at BCProclamations@gov.bc.ca.

The Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Branch, Ministry of Attorney General will not consider proclamations on anti-racism or multiculturalism if they are submitted fewer than 14 weeks before the date to be proclaimed.

Special requests for early delivery

To request delivery of a printed copy (by mail) or electronic copy (a PDF by email) before the date of the occasion or event being proclaimed, your proclamation should be submitted:

• at least 14 weeks before the requested hard copy or PDF delivery, for requests related to multiculturalism or anti-racism
• at least 6 to 8 weeks before the requested hard copy or PDF delivery date, for all other topics