Mr. Speaker, today is Portugal Day, and in the coming days, this will be celebrated across Canada with parades and other community gatherings.
Canada is proud to have a well-established and well-integrated Portuguese community across the country. Portugal Day gives all Canadians the opportunity to celebrate Portuguese culture and heritage. Streetsville is home to the Portuguese Cultural Centre of Mississauga and is a vibrant part of our community.
Portuguese explorers were among the first to arrive in Canada. They discovered the land that later became known as Labrador. Indeed, the Portuguese connection to Canada goes back to the very discovery of our country, and today Canadians of Portuguese heritage continue to make Canada strong.
I extend my best wishes to all Canadians taking part in Portugal Day celebrations.