Mr. Speaker, today, Italian Canadians are proudly part of the chamber and of the broader italo-canadese community ingrained in Canada’s social fabric.
However, the journey was not an easy one. In 1933, 90 years ago, the Christie Pits riot brought together Jews and Italians to fight against discrimination. From 1940 to 1943, nearly 31,000 Italian Canadians were considered “enemy aliens”, and almost 700 were sent to internment camps. On March 17, 1960, the Hogg’s Hollow disaster claimed the lives of five Italian Canadian construction workers who were installing a water main under the Don River in the city of Toronto. Nearly 2,000 Italian construction workers died helping to build Ontario.
During Italian Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich culture, history and traditions by sharing the stories of the brave Italian men and women who immigrated to Canada in search of opportunities but have never forgot their homeland.
La nostra storia is one of resilience.
[Member spoke in Italian]
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