Mr. Chair, bom dia.
For the third year, Canada is celebrating June as Portuguese Heritage Month, when we highlight and appreciate the great contributions of Canadians to Canada.
Since Portugese immigrants began arriving in Canada in the 1950s from all regions and islands in Portugal, Canadian society has been enriched by Portuguese culture, traditions, history and language. Canadians now listen to fado music, share the Portuguese great love of football and appreciate Portuguese port, wines and cuisine, whether it is churrasqueira, bacalhau or pastéis de nata.
Portuguese Canadians, a community that is now 500,000 strong, have also contributed greatly to building a better Canada, whether it be through world-renowned artists such as Shawn Mendes and Nelly Furtado, professionals such as Superior Court Justice Madam Linhares de Sousa or athletes such as Toronto Maple Leaf John Tavares or Olympian Meaghan Benfeito.
I am so proud to represent Canada's largest Portuguese community as the member of Parliament for Davenport.
[Witness spoke in Portuguese]
[English]
Happy Portuguese Heritage Month.
Obrigado, Mr. Chair.