Speeches – 2008

The Honourable Jason Kenney

South Asian Festival (Canadian Multicultural Radio & Tamil Vision Inc.)

Toronto, Ontario, May 17, 2008

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Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be here with you taking part in Toronto' s South Asian Festival, which I understand is one of the largest of its kind in Canada.

Let me begin by congratulating the Canadian Multicultural Radio (CMR) and Tamil Vision Inc., both for organizing this wonderful festival, and for the very fine work they do on an ongoing basis to serve the South-Asian community in this region.

I know that CMR serves in 25 different languages and reaches an audience of more than a million people in the Greater Toronto Area, and Tamil Vision Inc. is a
24– hour television station that provides locally produced entertainment and news.

The thriving cultural diversity within this community is an excellent reflection of Canada' s rich diversity.  And I believe it is one of the reasons why people of Asian origin have played such a pivotal role in building this country.

This list of Asian Canadians who have made their mark on our society is long and includes illustrious people from all walks of life.  For example:

  • Wajid Khan, who represents the federal riding of Mississauga– Streetsville in the House of Commons;
  • Novelists Rohinton Mistry and Michael Ondaatje;
  • And Senator Vivienne Poy.

The Asian– Canadian community illustrates Prime Minister Stephen Harper' s assertion that Canada is "a country where people from every conceivable cultural background have bonded together to create one of the most diverse, harmonious, and successful societies on earth."

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.

The South Asian Festival, with its focus on cultural diversity and inclusiveness, is an excellent example of this.  Events such as these allow us to learn from each other and experience our differences, while celebrating our common Canadian identity.

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.

Our Government recognizes the many ways in which Asian cultures and traditions have contributed to the strength of our communities and our shared Canadian identity.

And we appreciate the excellent opportunity that Asian Heritage Month provides both to learn more about your vibrant and diverse culture, and to enjoy it.  

In closing, I want to thank Canadian Multicultural Radio and Tamil Vision Inc. for inviting me to be part of festivities that highlight such an important part of Canada' s rich heritage.  And to say that I hope you enjoy the rest of the festival!