Ottawa, June 10, 2014 — The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister for Multiculturalism, issued the following statement to mark Portugal Day:
“I extend my best wishes to all Canadians of Portuguese heritage as they celebrate Portugal Day. Throughout this next week, this important day will be marked across the country with parades, sporting events and other community gatherings.
“Portugal Day gives all Canadians the opportunity to celebrate Portuguese heritage. Canada is proud to have an established and well-integrated Portuguese community across the country. The ‘Little Portugal’ areas in the Greater Toronto Area and Montreal are particularly vibrant centres of economic activity and cultural life.
“On this day, it is also important to remember that Portuguese explorers were among the first to visit the coast of Canada − discovering the land that later became known as Labrador. Indeed, the Portuguese connection to Canada goes back to the very discovery of our country.
“As Minister for Multiculturalism, I call on all Canadians to join with me in reflecting on the many contributions the Portuguese community has made to Canada.”
For further information (media only), please contact:
Alexandra Fortier
Minister’s Office
819-994-2482
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada’s economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.
