Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to recognize the 35,000 people who live in Canada and have Down syndrome. People with Down syndrome are amazing, and today is World Down Syndrome Day.
Tonight in Toronto, Circle 21, an organization that provides leadership to the Down syndrome community, will be bringing together dozens of support organizations from across Canada to acknowledge their contribution and hard work in helping make life better for people who have Down syndrome. At this inspirational event, there will be hundreds of people gathering, many of whom have Down syndrome themselves.
This date, March 21, is symbolic, as Down syndrome is caused by having three copies of the 21st chromosome instead of two copies, like we have. March, representing the third month, and 21, makes for a great day to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.
While there is work yet to be done, we are blessed to live in such a wonderful country, where people with Down syndrome are included in our society.