Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise and offer my best wishes to those preparing to celebrate Vaisakhi here in Canada, and around the world. Vaisakhi is celebrated annually by Hindus and Buddhists for several reasons, including as a way of reflecting and looking forward to the prosperity and the novelty of the year ahead. Vaisakhi is also an important observance for our friends within the Sikh community as it recalls the founding of the Khalsa Sikh community in 1699.
At its core, Vaisakhi is a day of family and community. It is a time to gather at gurdwaras to pray, to read from sacred scriptures and to contemplate the blessings of today while looking to the future with confidence and hope. As the faithful, including many of us here in the House, mark this special occasion at vibrant parades and other processions, on behalf of the Liberal caucus I offer my best wishes for a successful year ahead.