Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
My name is Alim Lila. I currently serve as the vice-chair of the Indo-Caribbean Canadian Association. In addition, I serve as the chair of the organization's VOICE planning committee, which is the civic engagement wing of our organization. I'm joined today by Ayesha Khan, a board director of our organization.
The Indo-Caribbean Canadian Association was established on May 1, 2021, with the goal to connect, serve and amplify Canada's Indo-Caribbean community. We offer a number of community services and programs in an effort to fill a void in our under-represented and underserved community.
The Indo-Caribbean community possesses roots in the Caribbean, with ancestry from India. We represent a double-diasporic community. Our dynamic culture has contributed to many significant elements of modern Caribbean culture. Our community also comprises individuals from a variety of faith groups, including Hindus, Muslims and Christians, and that is what makes our community so special.
I joined the Indo-Caribbean Canadian Association in 2022 to support their efforts to have the date of the municipal elections in Ontario amended because of a conflict with Diwali. While I identify as a Muslim, I recognize the importance of ensuring our collective community's access to the democratic process.
Furthermore, I believe it's important that the right to vote does not conflict with one's participation in a major religious or cultural observance. Whether it is Diwali, Eid, Bandi Chhor Divas, Rosh Hashanah or Easter, we must understand and respect the diversity of our country and ensure that all people are free to participate in their cultural and religious practices while maintaining their access to participation in our democratic institutions.
With that, I will pass it over to my colleague, Ayesha Khan.