Chinese
Lunar New Year
Speaking
Notes for the Hon. David Kilgour
Member
of Parliament for Edmonton Southeast
and Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)
at
Edmonton Chinatown Multicultural
Centre’s
Chinese New Years Extravaganza
Northlands
Agricom, 7300-116 Ave.
January
25, 2003
Edmonton
*Speech
not delivered
Many
thanks to the Edmonton Chinatown
Multicultural Centre and the community
for inviting me to join you to
celebrate this year’s Lunar New
Year Extravaganza. It is a great
privilege to be here with you
this afternoon to welcome in the
year of the sheep.
As
Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific,
I have been most fortunate to
travel twice to China and once
to Hong Kong in the past year.
It is one of the most dynamic
regions in the world and represents
unparalleled economic opportunity
for Canadians and especially Albertans.
In fact, Alberta conducted $100
million in business with China
last year, more than any other
province. It is also home to countless
cultural traditions, some of which
will be highlighted here today.
The
lunar New Year celebration evolved
from the legend of a Chinese village
thousands of years ago that was
ravaged by an evil spirit. To
protect themselves the following
year, the villagers hung red banners
and used firecrackers and drums
to ward off the evil force.
No
doubt this years’ ‘evil monster’
is the deep freeze that has assailed
our province and the entire country
during the past week. I don’t
know about you but I’m counting
on the ‘year of the sheep’ to
warm us all up a little.
Cultural
celebrations are important as
they teach young people invaluable
lessons about their history. For
that reason I’m encouraged to
see so many young faces here today. Learning about our past, helps to ensure that
our cultural traditions will continue
to play a role in our future.
Once
again, permit me to extend a thank-you
to the organizers and to all of
you, for the opportunity to be
here. Please accept my very best
wishes for this afternoon’s festivities
and may you all enjoy a healthy
and prosperous ‘year of the sheep’.
Gung
Hey Fat Choy
(Wishing You Prosperity and Wealth)
Thank-you
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