Montreal Asian Heritage Month, Closing Ceremony

Speech by Senator Vivienne Poy
Montreal Asian Heritage Month
Closing Ceremony
May 24, 2003
Janet, honoured guests, friends:
Au nom du Sénat du Canada, je suis heureuse d’être de nouveau ici, à
Montréal, une ville très dynamique, pour célébrer le Mois du patrimoine
asiatique. À voir le programme des activités organisées au cours du dernier
mois, j’aurais aimé pouvoir être ici tout le mois de mai !
What talent! What diversity! An incredible variety was represented
at this festival, much of it blending traditional forms with modern influences.
I know that this program has been put together by a devoted group of
individuals, and organizations. Under the very capable leadership of your
Executive Director, Janet Lumb, and through the collaboration of a panAsian group of organizations, Montreal’s Asian Heritage Month celebrations
are truly representative of the multicultural ideals of respect, and mutual
understanding.
It has been a little over a year since my motion to recognize May as
Asian Heritage Month in Canada passed in the Senate, and only a year since
Canadian Heritage made this official through a signed Proclamation. But so
much has happened since then. I am so impressed by the people I have
encountered over the past year – people like you – who have given your
time, energy, and enthusiasm in making Asian Heritage Month a success.
This is multiculturalism in practice.
Different groups have told me that they are so happy to be making
new friends, and sharing stories with each other, and the rest of the country.
This is our chance to celebrate, and share our contributions, and our rich
heritage.
Some of us are new arrivals, while many of us have been in Canada
for many generations. Each of us brings our own experiences, culture, and
history to this celebration. It is in this very diversity that we find our
1
strength. Our culture is alive, always changing and evolving within
Canadian society, as we adapt to new influences. We are continually
creating a new identity, that blends the old and the new, and by so doing, we
help to create a new identity for Canada – a Canada that is defined by
multiculturalism.
As a society, how we respond to diversity, and incorporate new
immigrants, and the cultures they bring with them, is the challenge of this
millennium. In many ways, our success in addressing the issues involved
will determine Canada’s success as a nation over the next few decades.
Ultimately, urban centres, such as Montreal, will lead the way in defining
the new Canadian society, and identity.
Asian Heritage Month is one way of addressing our increasing
diversity. As communities, we must work together, to raise understanding in
the mainstream community, and amongst ourselves. It is clear that
stereotypes remain, and it is only through increasing education, and
communication, that ignorance can be overcome. Education begins with the
young in our schools, and continues throughout our lifetime.
Asian Canadian heritage is part of the Canada of tomorrow, as
exemplified in the latest Census of 2001. If one looks at the latest figures,
Canadians of Asian descent now make up about 10 percent of the population
of Canada.
Célébrons la diversité de cette belle ville qu’est Montréal, et profitons
des différentes cultures dont se compose notre riche patrimoine. Quelle
chance nous avons de vivre dans un pays qui nous offre une si grande
variété!
It’s been a difficult year for all of us but Spring is finally here.
Through collaborations such as yours, we promote peace and harmony
among peoples – and this is something that is clearly in short supply in the
world today.
Thank you for inviting my husband and me here this afternoon, and
congratulations to all who have worked so hard to make Asian Heritage
Month celebrations such a great success!
2