Mr. Speaker, on December 9, I had the honour to represent Canada at Tanzania's 50th anniversary celebration in Dar es Salaam. I left Tanzania 34 years ago with my wife and eldest daughter to immigrate to Canada to start a new life. Tanzania will always have a place in my heart, as it is the land of my birth, where I studied and spent the early years of my life working as an air traffic controller.
East Africa, including Tanzania, remains imbedded in our hearts, and I had the honour and privilege to be strongly engaged in promoting strong relations between Canada and East Africa. I am happy to note that progress has been made in Tanzania since implementation of the multi-party democratic system. However, as President Kikwete said, “More needs to be done”.
I wish the leadership and all Tanzanians at large the best in the next 50 years for the country to become prosperous and economically powerful under sustained peace and unity.