Mr. Speaker, today I planned to acknowledge Mexico Independence Day, which was celebrated on September 16 by nearly 100,000 Canadians of Mexican descent, including my wife and my family.
However, as co-chair of the Canada-Mexico Parliamentary Friendship Group I want to offer my thoughts and prayers as Mexico grapples with a second earthquake in as many weeks.
Mexican Canadians have left their cultural mark in communities, including Gatineau, which is host to a campus of Mexico's national university and to Ballet Folklorico Aztlan, the traditional folkloric ballet of Mexico in Canada.
Our connection is strong, but our hearts are heavy. I ask all Canadians to join me in doing what they can to support our cultural, economic, and humanitarian partner as it faces tough days ahead, and to learn more about supporting the Mexico Earthquake Relief Fund or the Red Cross as a proud and resilient people face these enormous challenges.
[Member spoke in Spanish]