Mr. Speaker, immigration is, has been and will continue to be the lifeblood of Canada. We have built one of the most diverse and inclusive countries in the world.
After the 1956 revolution 200,000 Hungarians fled a brutal Soviet communist dictatorship, with 90% finding initial refuge in Austria.
Canada did more than any other country in accepting 38,000 Hungarian refugees. Never before has Canada been as hospitable.
Fifty years ago today, my parents Nora and Sándor, my siblings Paul and Margaret, and I landed in Vancouver.
On behalf of my family and all refugees, I thank the Canadian people, with special thanks to family friends, the Hays, the Campbells and the Tanacks, for their immediate hospitality.
My passion for civil liberties, human rights, the charter and citizenship rights is grounded in my personal experiences.
The fact that a refugee could become a member of Parliament in this country speaks volumes about the kind of country we live in.