Mr. Speaker,
Love is a fire that burns unseen;
A wound that aches yet isn't felt;
An alway discontent contentment;
A pain that rages without hurting.
So wrote one of the most revered of Portugal's poets, a man by the name of Luis de Camoens in one of his most famous poems, Amor é um fogo que arde sem se ver. Luis de Camoens serves as a symbol of the Portuguese nation. The day of his death, June 10, is the day that Portugal observes its national day. It is also a day that Portugal celebrates its global Portuguese community, its emigrants, and their descendants living in communities all around the world. I am proud to say that one such community is in my riding of Davenport, home to the largest Portuguese community in Canada.
We will also join in on the celebrations right here on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The Canada-Portugal Parliamentary Friendship Group together with Portugal's Ambassador to Canada, José Fernando Moreira da Cunha, is hosting the first ever Portugal Day on the Hill tomorrow evening, Tuesday, June 7, all members are invited—