Ottawa, February 19, 2015 – The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister for Multiculturalism, issued the following statement to mark the celebration of Losar:
"Today marks the most important day of the lunar Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese calendar.
"I have personally enjoyed participating in many Losar festivities with Tibetan Canadians.
"I have also had the great honour of meeting more than once with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, one of the world's great champions of peace and pluralism and an honorary Canadian citizen.
"This year we enter the Year of the Wood Sheep. The Sheep symbolizes harmony and calmness, while Wood is symbolic of growth and expansion. For many people of Tibetan heritage living in Canada, Losar is a time for renewal and purification, a time for gathering with family, friends and the larger community.
"For all Canadians, Losar provides an excellent opportunity to think about the tremendous contributions that members of the Tibetan community have made to this country's rich and diverse heritage.
"As Minister for Multiculturalism, I wish everyone celebrating Losar peace and happiness in the New Year.
"Losar Tashi delek!"
Lauren Armstrong
Minister's Office
613-996-3100
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
