Mr. Speaker, throughout the month of February, Canadians have been celebrating black excellence and honouring the many contributions Black Canadians have made in building this nation. It is so true that Black history is Canadian history. However, it is the future of this country we are focused on building.
Black leaders and Black-led organizations I have met with recently are asking for a more resilient, fair and just Canada. I met with the Foundation for Black Communities this week, an organization that exists to ensure every Black person in Canada can thrive and that all black communities have agency in deciding their own future.
Yesterday, I joined a virtual visit at my local library in Milton with The New York Times' best-selling author Ijeoma Oluo, who was discussing her book So You Want to Talk About Race, which is on how anti-racism is essential to creating connected and empathetic communities. The event in Milton, at the public library, was part of the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton's virtual Black History Month program entitled, “Our Legacy Guides Our Future”.
I want to thank these organizations for their tireless efforts and advocacy. I wish Black Canadians a happy, righteous and constructive Black History Month.