Speeches – 2008

The Honourable Jason Kenney

Commemoration by the Republic of Vietnam Veterans Association of Ontario and Journey for Freedom Organizers

Toronto, Ontario, May 4, 2008

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Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,

Let me begin by saying what a great pleasure it is for me to join the Vietnamese community in celebrating Journey for Freedom. 

Today, we are not only celebrating Vietnamese Canadians having found refuge and freedom in Canada, but we are also paying tribute to the veterans that helped pave the road to that freedom.

The Vietnamese presence in Canada dates back more than 50 years, when Canada welcomed thousands of refugees during the 1950s. 

People from Vietnam came to this country bravely facing a complete change – a new society, new languages, not to mention a climate that is often cold and harsh. 

They rose to these challenges admirably, and today, more than 150,000 people of Vietnamese origin live in Canada and make significant contributions to this country. 

Vietnamese Canadians have played an important part of Canada' s growth and success thanks to a strong commitment to family and community, a rich cultural tradition, and strong values. 

Your community has shown itself to be both innovative and industrious, establishing a wide range of private businesses and working in fields as varied as law, medicine, insurance, entertainment, politics, and travel. 

As Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity, I have had the pleasure of meeting with Canadians from very different backgrounds, and I can tell you they all share a common goal, which is to fully participate in Canadian society. Our Government definitely shares that goal. 

Newcomers bring to this country their skills, a commitment to hard work, and a desire to succeed, and our Government wants to ensure that they have every opportunity to do just that.

The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening our pluralism and our national cohesion, and working toward equal opportunities for all Canadians. 

We consider the fundamental values that Canadians hold dear – democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law – to be an important part of our diverse heritage.

The more than 200,000 people who come to Canada annually from every corner of the world embrace the values we hold dear.  At the same time, they add greatly to our sense of who we are.  And this particular celebration is a good example of the Vietnamese community' s contribution to building Canada.

Events such as this one provide an excellent opportunity for us to learn from each other and experience our differences, while celebrating our common Canadian identity. 

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I want to thank the Republic of Vietnam Veterans Association of Ontario and the Journey for Freedom organizers for working so hard and reaching out to and engaging your community.  By building bridges across Canada, you contribute tremendously to making this country a better place to live, and your efforts are greatly appreciated. 

Enjoy the evening, everyone.