Speeches – 2008

The Honourable Jason Kenney

The Mabuhay Philippines! Toronto Summer Festival

Toronto, Ontario, July 19, 2008

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Your Excellency Jose Brillantes,
Mr. Alejandro Mosquera,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Magandang gabi po (good evening – formal)

I am pleased to be with you today and honoured to take part in today' s Mabuhay Philippines! Summer Festival, which I understand is the largest celebration of Filipino heritage and culture in Canada. 

Over the years, this festival has brought together thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in Filipino tradition and culture through an appreciation of food, music, fashion, and dance.

This year' s event is a special cause for celebration because a portion of the proceeds will be used to build a village in Jose Panganiban, in the province of Camarines Nortes.

The Government of Canada recognizes the many ways in which Filipino culture and tradition have enriched Canadian society.  Today, more than 400 000 people of Filipino origin live in Canada, with over 200 000 living in Ontario. 

Filipino Canadians have played an important part of Canada' s growth and success. 

As Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in paying tribute to Canada' s Filipino community, "Your values of hard work, community support and strong families are making Canada even stronger."

Our Government considers Canada' s diversity to be one of our greatest assets, 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, adding an often indefinable element to our sense of who we are. 

Today' s festival is an excellent example of what I am talking about.  Events such as this provide a wonderful opportunity to learn from each other, and to experience our differences while celebrating our common Canadian identity.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to Filipino Canadians, who in sharing their heritage, have helped build, strengthen, and diversify our wonderful country.

I would also like to commend the Philippine Independence Day Council on organizing such a wonderful event and on your efforts to reach out and engage your community. 

Our Government is committed to preserving and enhancing respect for the value and dignity of all Canadians, and we appreciate the role that your community has played and will continue to play in helping us meet that objective.

By building bridges with communities across this country, you contribute tremendously to making Canada a better place to live and learn, and your efforts are greatly appreciated.

In closing, allow me to thank you for providing me with an opportunity to speak to you today. 

Enjoy the rest of the Festival!