Canada:
Global Model for a Multicultural
State
Speaking
Notes for the Hon. David Kilgour
Secretary
of State (Asia-Pacific) and
Member
of Parliament for Edmonton
Southeast
September
27, 2002
Edmonton
It
is an honour to be here at
this conference. It is a landmark
event where representatives
and delegates from all over
the world have come together
to share ideas and learn from
one and other.
And
where better to host a forum
on multiculturalism than in
the city of Edmonton.
After all, this capital is
known to the rest of Canada
as a diverse and multicultural
center. Each year we celebrate
countless musical and theatrical
festivals. We host international
events that unite people from
all over the world.
We produce and export
innovation, artistic expression
and leading edge research.
It is this rich multicultural
depth that makes us such a
strong country.
As
Satya Das declares in the
opening pages of his recently
published book The Best
Country, “Canada is the
ideal model for the human
family.” Indeed, we have drawn
from the value of inclusiveness
to learn from each other and
accept one another. Canada
can speak effectively to the
world because we have the
world – and all its languages
and cultures - within our
boarders.
This is our greatest
strength and defines us as
a nation.
And
while I know that the fall
out from 9/11 it is still
on all of our minds, in was
encouraging to see that in
the aftermath of the terrorist
attacks, the overwhelming
majority of Canadians saw
an opportunity to "walk
our talk", to hold on
to our values, to unite in
a stand against the ‘real’
terrorists and not to help
their causes by turning on
each other. As Globe &
Mail Editor-in-Chief, Edward Greenspon, wrote, “Canadians
- post 9/11 - decided rather
than stomping on the multicultural
flag, to rally around it."
On
behalf of the government of
Canada please allow me to
extend a sincere congratulations
to Robinson Koipillai and
all the conference organizers,
volunteers and speakers for
a job well done. Also, let
me thank those of you in attendance.
Your contributions and input
are imperative if we are to
continue moving towards a
global multicultural village.
Thank you
