Speeches – 2008
The Honourable Jason Kenney
Minturnese 16th Ballo Della Pacchiana
Woodbridge, Ontario, April 19, 2008
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Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
Let me begin by saying how delighted I am to be here on the occasion of the Minturnese 16th Ballo Della Pacchiana.
I am very pleased to participate in a celebration that gives us the opportunity to learn from one another and experience our differences, while celebrating our common Canadian identity.
Immigration is at the heart of our history, and people of Italian heritage have long enriched Canada with their skills, knowledge, and talents. Immigration is also the core of our present and the root of our future.
As Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity, I am proud to live in a country that embraces the many cultures of the world. The Government of Canada considers diversity to be one of this country' s greatest strengths and we are committed to strengthening our pluralism and our national cohesion.
Our core Canadian values are freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The more than 200,000 people who come to Canada annually from every corner of the world embrace these values and at the same time add to our sense of who we are. This evening' s Ballo Della Pacchiana is a good example of this.
This is what our government means when it talks about pluralism. It' s not only about respecting diversity. It' s about actively participating and learning about each other, and about how to work together to form a strong and cohesive Canada.
Canadian society has been built on diversity and our values include respect for ethnic, racial, cultural, and religious diversity.
We are fortunate to live in a place which celebrates our many cultures. Our capacity to embrace, respect, celebrate, and value each other' s differences has made Canada one of the most resilient, creative, and welcoming countries on earth.
The Government of Canada encourages all communities to promote understanding of and respect for other cultures. We understand the importance of openness, democracy, equality, and mutual respect of all peoples.
We recognize that many community organizations reinforce fundamental Canadian values that bridge our differences and allow us to understand who we are as Canadians.
Organizations such as yours have an important role to play in upholding the values of pluralism.
And in this regard, it is important to recognize and celebrate the significant contribution the Minturnese community has made to our society, which brings me to the reason we are here this evening.
I would like to thank you all for inviting me to take part in your festivities. On behalf of the Government of Canada, allow me to say what a privilege it is to have this opportunity to celebrate the culture and heritage of the Minturnese community.
In closing, I hope that you enjoy the rest of the evening.