I rise today in honour of the third Latin American Heritage Month. Canada’s Latin American community is strong, creative and resilient. It grows in numbers and in influence every year. I am very honoured and proud of its members’ accomplishments in all fields. It is a community of good-hearted people with a strong moral compass, a community where love and collaboration abound.

I would like to recognize National Defence and Global Affairs Canada, which have active Latin American staff communities, organizations such as CALAREO, CALACS, Hispanotech, Hispanic Canadian Heritage Council and many others who serve the professional, research and graduate communities, and of course, the ambassadors of ParlAmericas who have been working diligently to reinforce the links between our nation and theirs.

October has been a very active month for us. The community has kept in touch with webinars covering a wide variety of subjects, such as the participation of Latin American women in politics and science, and the impacts of COVID-19 on our communities.

As these celebrations continue into November, I encourage all my dear, honourable colleagues to seek out and participate in them. I encourage you to participate in traditions and culture that you might not have experienced before. The Latin American community is very welcoming and would love to share its richness with you.

I wish everyone a happy Latin American Heritage Month. Thank you. Gracias. Meegwetch.