Sending its greetings to Tamils in Canada for Thai Pongal, celebrated on January 14th this year, the Minister of State for Multiculturalism, Tim Uppal, praised the Tamil community in Canada for their "vibrant and growing cultural presence".
In a statement on behalf of the Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, Mr. Uppal, said,
In a statement on behalf of the Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, Mr. Uppal, said,
"I would like to extend my warmest greetings to those attending the celebrations at the Markham Civic Centre. On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, I would also like to wish all Canadian Tamils a happy Thai Pongal.See here for Tim Uppal's statement in full.
Canada’s Tamil community members have served in all fields and have also greatly enhanced our pluralism with a vibrant and growing cultural presence. The Tamil Canadian community has been one of the fastest growing visible minority groups in Canada over the past thirty years. For the Tamil community in Canada, Thai Pongal is a time of joy and celebration. Thai Pongal provides an opportunity for all Canadians to reflect on all the contributions that Canada’s Tamil community has made to our country."