Speeches – 2008

The Honourable Jason Kenney

Grande Finale Asian Heritage Parade

Markham, Ontario, May 31, 2008

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Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It' s a great pleasure for me to be with you here in Markham.  I cannot think of a better way to celebrate the end of Asian Heritage Month than the grand finale parade that just took place.

Allow me to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Asian veterans who are with us today, and on behalf of the Government of Canada, to thank you for your courageous service on behalf of this country. 

As well, I want to commend the Royal Hong Kong Regiment and the Hong Kong Ex-Servicemen Association for the role they have played in organizing today' s festivities. 

Asian presence in this country goes back more than one hundred years, and since that time, people of Asian origin have played a pivotal role in building Canada.  The 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:

  • My colleague, Wajid Khan, who represents the nearby federal riding of Mississauga– Streetsville;
  • Novelists M.J. Vassanji, Wayson Choy, and Michael Ondaatje;
  • And veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces, including Douglas Jung, who served with distinction and went on to become the first Canadian Member of Parliament of Chinese origin.

The thriving cultural diversity within the Asian 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 been such an important part of building this country.

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.  These values were courageously defended by the veterans who are here with us today.

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.

Asian Heritage Month activities are a wonderful example of this.  Today' s event is intended to showcase Asian culture.  But at the same time, it is an opportunity for the veterans who are here to share their experiences with young people. 

It allows them to speak about the role they played in the Canadian Armed Forces – a role that was critical in terms of establishing fundamental civil and political rights for Chinese and Japanese Canadians.

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.

We appreciate the opportunity that Asian Heritage Month provides to learn more about and celebrate a very important part of Canada' s rich heritage.  

In closing, allow me to thank you for inviting me to be part of today' s festivities, and to wish you all the best in the year to come.