Mr. Speaker, for the fourth year in a row, I rise in the House to invite all Canadians to celebrate Black History Month. Over the past four years, I have met with dozens of black community groups and hundreds of black educational leaders, teachers, workers and volunteers.
Whereas we once divided ourselves into narrow interests based on where we or our ancestors came from, more and more we are a woke community that is working together to achieve a common interest: to be equal and to be treated as equal, equal in business, studies, law, culture, innovation, politics, government and citizenship.
I urge all Canadians to take part in Black History Month events.
I say this for all black Canadians. Standing still is a luxury we cannot afford. We must get more involved. Representation matters, not only in government but in every nook and cranny of our society. Though each may feel alone, together we will accomplish great things.
Long live Black History Month.