Mr. Speaker, I am incredibly offended by the speech given by my colleague just now. I implore members to stick to the facts and stick to what they are trying to achieve. This reference to costumes that I have been hearing in debate after debate is incredibly offensive.
I would like to share a little story about a girl growing up here in Canada, me. A child of immigrant parents, I struggled constantly to try to be proud of my culture and my heritage. I could not help just wanting to fit in. I wondered why my parents could not just wear western clothing to my teacher-parent interview. Maybe I would fit in a little better. Maybe the kids would not make fun of the clothing we traditionally wear.
This continual reference by the opposition to our clothing being costumes is outrageous. I wonder if my colleague is offended that I am wearing his costume right now. Would you call a business suit a costume? Should I ask people from around the world what they think about my wearing a white man's costume? Are you offended? I am incredibly offended that again and again I hear reference to our clothing as costumes. It is not a costume. It is clothing that we wear every day, day in and day out. Indians wear that clothing, and it is nothing compared to a uniform of a police officer.
The Prime Minister respected our culture and our traditions, including the clothing we value so dearly. I am so happy that my child, my son, can see a Prime Minister today who respects his culture, his tradition, and where he comes from.