Mr. Speaker, the royal city of New Westminster, British Columbia, is again proud to sponsor its annual Hyack Festival in the month of May.
This year marks the 130th May Day, making it the longest running celebration of its particular kind in the British Commonwealth. In the past, dignitaries like Queen Elizabeth have joined the festivities, witnessing firsthand the traditional cannon blast salutes in memory of Queen Victoria.
With children dancing around the historic maypoles, a parade with fancy floats and many marching bands, it is no wonder that people from all over North America come to take part in such a wonderful historic festival.
While Victoria may be British Columbia's capital, New Westminster remains the original royal city, given its name by the Queen. The word hyack comes from an Indian word for hurry up.
I urge my parliamentary colleagues to come to New Westminster next week and learn more about hurrying up because this is exactly what Canadians want. Congratulations to the Hyack Festival organization of New Westminster.