June 27, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Regina, SK – The Hon. Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and of the Official Opposition, issued the following statement on Canadian Multiculturalism Day:
“Today we proudly celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism Day and pay tribute to the millions of people who chose Canada as their home.
“Fleeing tyrannical regimes, natural disasters, enslavement, persecution, and lack of opportunity, millions of people have come to Canada in pursuit of a new life and helped make our country the best in the world. Whether we think of the Vietnamese boat people escaping communism following the fall of Saigon, or Ukrainians fleeing communist tyranny and oppression, or Black Americans who escaped slavery on the Underground Railroad to find freedom in Canada, what unites them and millions of others who came to our country is the desire to live in peace, under the rule of law, succeed through hard work, and create better opportunities for future generations.
“I am proud to lead a party that knows how enriched we are by Canada‘s diversity. New Canadians enrich our communities by bringing with them their values of entrepreneurship; sacrifice; risk-taking; individual freedoms; cultural, familial, and faith traditions; and a desire to succeed. All of these inherently Conservative principles are shared by those who have decided to make Canada their home.
“Throughout my leadership, I have been honoured to travel around our beautiful country and personally meet thousands of Canadians, including new immigrants, who told me about their journey to Canada and why they became Canadians by choice. To millions around the world, Canada is a beacon of hope, democracy and peace.
“Canada’s Conservatives are proud to represent the country’s cultural breadth in Parliament. The first Chinese Canadian MP, Douglas Jung, was a Conservative, and so was the first Black cabinet Minister, Lincoln Alexander. The first Filipino Canadian Senator was the Honourable Tobias Enverga, a Conservative; the first Korean Senator, the Honourable Yonah Martin, a Conservative; as is the first MP of Korean heritage, Nelly Shin. The first Vietnamese Senator, the Honourable Thanh Hai Ngo, a Conservative; the first Pakistani Senator, the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan, a Conservative; the first Hindu MP, Deepak Obhrai, a Conservative; the first Japanese MP Bev Oda, a Conservative; the first Inuk appointed to federal cabinet, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, a Conservative; and the first turbaned Sikh appointed to federal cabinet, the Honourable Tim Uppal, is a Conservative; among many others.
“As we prepare to celebrate Canada Day, let’s reflect on our rich and proud heritage as well as celebrate the freedom that has helped shape our great Dominion.”
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For more information, please contact:
Julie Pham
(613) 947-9932
Julie.Pham@parl.gc.ca
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