26
Years of Bahamian Independence
Notes for remarks by Hon. David Kilgour,
M.P. Edmonton Southeast, Secretary of State
(Latin America & Africa)
to the celebration of Bahamian Independence
Day
Edmonton, July 11, 1999
It is a great
pleasure to join you in celebrating the
26th anniversary of Bahamian Independence
and to bring greetings on behalf of the
Government of Canada. No doubt the streets
of Nassau and towns throughout the Bahamas
experienced lively celebrations yesterday,
and probably the party still continues.
Here today, in what for many of you is your
new home, you can try to recreate some of
that festive flavour.
To most Canadians,
the name "Bahamas" conjures up
images of a tropical paradise with thousands
of islands and cays, palm trees and sandy
beaches. We all know that tourism is the
biggest industry of the Bahamas, and that
it is the most popular tourism destination
of the Caribbean region. The attraction
though, is not just the sand and sun. Rather,
it is the Bahamian people.
The laid-back
attitude, sense of humour, and enjoyment
of life that characterize the Bahamian lifestyle
is an example for all of us. So too is the
cheerful friendliness. It has been my great
pleasure to meet many Bahamians both here
in Edmonton and in my travels as Secretary
of State for Latin America, Africa and the
Caribbean.
Bahamians
and Canadians have many shared historical
experiences that have brought our peoples
together. These have also made it easier
for those Bahamians who have become Canadians.
We share a common English language and past
experience of British colonization. This
has left us with many similar political
and legal institutions. Bahamas enjoys a
parliamentary democracy and political freedoms
similar to its Commonwealth Caribbean neighbours.
The Bahamas
has an important seafaring tradition, given
its nature as a group of islands and its
location on the Gulf Steam trade routes.
Because of this, there is a long history
of trade and other contact with Canada,
particularly with our Atlantic provinces.
This weekend
we celebrate the more than a quarter century
of Bahamian independence. Independence in
the Bahamas came about later and more quickly
than Canada’s, so our experiences differ
somewhat. Still, it has been a successful
independence given the resourcefulness of
the Bahamian people. Not only is the Bahamas
a major magnet for tourism, but it is also
a major banking centre of the region, and
a participant in the global economy.
Here in Canada,
Bahamians are actively involved in the Canadian
West Indian community and the community
at large. Most Caribbean Canadians have
come in the period following the Second
World War, especially in the last few decades,
so ties with the old country remain very
strong. The vibrancy of West Indian culture
has added spice to Canadian culture, enriching
what we often speak of as "the Canadian
mosaic."
Canada’s
greatest source of wealth is its enrichment
by cultures from around the world. Those
of you who live in southeast Edmonton, the
riding I represent, know that it is a microcosm
of the world. This interaction of Canadians
from diverse backgrounds allows us to learn
from each other, and the sum is greater
than the parts.
Canada has
been a multicultural nation since its beginnings.
As in the Bahamas, when the first Europeans
arrived here, they encountered a diverse
range of native peoples. Since that time,
Canada has been built by many peoples of
diverse origins coming together and learning
to live under one roof.
In the United
States, the melting pot has often been held
up as an ideal – people from many backgrounds
blend together into a single identity. One
can argue whether or not that is the reality,
but there is clearly social pressure for
the newcomer to assimilate.
Such pressure
exists to some extent, of course, in Canada
too, but in part because of our history
there has been greater tolerance of cultural
diversity. The Canadian policy of multiculturalism
is one that has served us well, and is a
great strength in this new era of global
communication. As Bahamian Canadians, you
not only enrich Canada with your culture,
but you are well placed to foster greater
economic ties between Canada and the countries
of the West Indies.
I know you
are anxious to continue your celebrations.
Let’s today celebrate not only 26 years
of Bahamian independence, but also the great
contribution of Bahamian Canadians to this
country.
Thank you.
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