Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to bring to Parliament's attention three occasions of great importance to the Vietnamese Canadian community.
The ancestor ceremonies are held by Vietnamese the world over. This is a moving custom in which families honour and respect their departed ancestors. It reflects the faith of the Vietnamese people in the eternal soul and memories of loved ones who endure in their hearts.
April 30 marks the day that South Vietnam fell to the Communists. It is a time to remember the courage and heroism of those who fought for democracy, human rights, and freedom, and to dedicate ourselves to restoring those values to Vietnam.
May 12 will be a day of celebration. In Vancouver Kingsway, we will inaugurate the creation of Little Saigon. This is a wonderful initiative that honours the social, economic, and cultural contributions of the Vietnamese community to Vancouver and Canada. By creating Little Saigon, the people of the Vietnamese community will show Canada and the world that their dedication to their country, their principles, and their heritage is strong and unwavering.