Mr. Speaker, Mabuhay.
On June 12, Canadians of Filipino origin will be celebrating 116 years of independence. Marked by Filipinos around the world as the country's national day, it is the time to commemorate the sacrifices made by such heroes of the Philippines as José Rizal and Andres Bonifacio.
The first Filipinos came to Canada in 1930 and since then, Filipino Canadians have made tremendous contributions to our country's social and cultural fabric, to our economy and to our nation's history.
This year's national day is particularly poignant as we also pause to remember those lives lost and uprooted due to Hurricane Yolanda. Canada's response to this tragedy was swift, decisive and substantive. This showed Filipino Canadians that, as members of the Canadian family, we stand together.
I am proud to say that York Centre has one of the largest number of Filipino Canadians of any riding in Canada, and I look forward to celebrating national day with them.
For all Filipino Canadians, I take great pride in saying, Araw ng Kalayaan.