Mr. Speaker, I send warm greetings to Canadians celebrating Lunar New Year. This year we enter the Year of the Rat, an animal traditionally associated with discipline, hard work and material success.
During this special time of year, Canadians of Asian heritage will join their families and friends in feasts and celebration.
As the Prime Minister said when attending a Lunar New Year event last year, Canada “is a country in which what you've done and where you're going matter more than who you are or where you're from, a country united at home and respected abroad, a country unwavering in its commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law; in short, a country of which we can all be proud”.
I encourage all Canadians to use the Lunar New Year period to celebrate the tremendous contributions that members of the Asian community have made to this country's rich and diverse heritage.
I hope the Year of the Rat fulfills its promise and brings all Canadians health, wealth and happiness.