Mr. Speaker, today is an important day. It is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. When I look around at my colleagues in the government, I can see what we have achieved as a country.
People talk about a melting pot as the answer to our racial problems. If we are all alike, we will surely get along. However, we are not all alike. That is the beauty of Canada.
We talk about being one people but we also allow ourselves to be unique and different. That is what I respect. Instead of a melting pot, Canada is just a great stir-fry with many colours and textures cooked together in one pot but letting the individual flavours remain distinctive. That is Canada's secret.
I believe that if any country can eventually eliminate racism we can. We have the right recipe. The main ingredient is not tolerance which means merely putting up with something, but a respect that says that I admire you, you have something to offer. We can share and learn from each other and create a wonderful new reality.