Madam Speaker, today marks the beginning of la Semaine nationale de la Francophonie, and this year's theme is ethno-cultural diversity. One of the awards this morning was made in recognition of a multicultural and anti-racist educational project called Leadership Camp.
Tomorrow, March 21, we celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
These two events will be an opportunity to celebrate the rich diversity of this country.
The Prime Minister of Canada has often said that the unity of our country is based on diversity, and that diversity is also our strength. It is, in fact, the fundamental characteristic of our nation. A country based on diversity cannot afford to let racism, hatred and intolerance to take root in its soil.
To do otherwise would be to jeopardize a social peace for which Canada is envied around the world. Social peace does not come from wishing it. It comes from hard work and from vigilance. The duty to be vigilant carries with it the responsibility to address racism by public response or by force of law.
The greatest asset of any country is its people. The challenge is not to assimilate this diversity into a simple mould, but to weave its many varied strands into a distinctive national culture. Canadian culture is much more than the sum of its many parts.
From a global perspective Canada is seen as a role model, a country united through common values based on fairness, equity, democracy and respect for human rights.
While racial, religious and ethnocultural discrimination have helped to make the 20th century a byword for inhumanity and violence, Canada is exceptionally fortunate in the extent to which it has been spared the worst of these excesses.
We must do more than trust our luck. We must work very hard to make sure our country is not open to racist sentiments, whatever their form and whatever their source.
It is in this context that I hope all members will see the March 21 campaign on their screens and in their movie theatres. It will be a campaign asking Canadians to stop and think about the harm that racism does to others and to society. Understanding is the key to eliminating racism.
What better way to encourage Canadians to think about the effects of racism than to put themselves in the other person's shoes. Mettez-vous dans la peau des autres. Only then can we learn what it means to live in a society of mutual interdependence. Sometimes we need to be reminded of what we so often take for granted.
Such a reminder came very recently from President Bill Clinton of the United States who in addressing the House lauded our nation: "as a model of how people of different cultures can live and work together in peace, prosperity and understanding".
The message of the March 21 campaign embodies the sentiment expressed by the Prime Minister of Canada, reinforced by the President of the United States.
I urge all members to join with me in carrying this message to the people of Canada.