Honourable senators, October 2024 marks the inaugural Korean Heritage Month in Canada, thanks to the co-sponsors — Senator Amina Gerba, Senator Rebecca Patterson and Senator Hassan Yussuff — and to all senators for unanimously adopting our Senate motion on June 4, 2024.

On Monday, October 7, we celebrated the first Korea Day on the Hill. The historic day began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument to Canadian Fallen — the Korean War Monument — to pay respects to Canadians who served and sacrificed their lives in Korea. That was followed by a flag-raising ceremony on the Hill and a national community forum with more than 100 community and business leaders from across Canada, culminating in a grand dinner reception in the Sir John A. Macdonald Building, co-hosted by the Embassy of Korea in partnership with the Canada-Korea Interparliamentary Friendship Group and the Korean Cultural Centre Canada.

The month of October has special significance for Koreans. The third day of October is Gaecheonjeol, known as National Foundation Day of Korea, which celebrates the legendary formation of the first Korean state of Gojoseon in 2333 BC. Today, October 9, is Hangul Day, celebrating the world-renowned Korean alphabet.

The Korean diaspora has spread across the globe, and Canada is home to a sizable and dynamic Korean-Canadian population — a community that has prospered and thrived, driving innovation, growth and prosperity in various sectors of the Canadian economy. From small businesses and start-ups to large corporations, Korean-Canadian entrepreneurs have made their mark, creating jobs, stimulating economic growth and contributing to Canada’s prosperity.

The recognition of heritage months not only highlights the contributions, history and culture of specific groups but also helps ensure that their achievements and struggles are recognized and celebrated. This recognition can foster a greater understanding and appreciation for diverse backgrounds, and it can be particularly meaningful for younger generations in helping them to connect with their roots and build a greater sense of belonging.

I stand before you as a proud daughter of Korea and Canada, and I feel so blessed to be part of a wonderful model community. Their entrepreneurial spirit, cultural impact and active community involvement greatly enhance our society, bolster our economy and encourage us to uphold the principles of diversity, inclusion and mutual respect.

Honourable senators, please join me in celebrating the inaugural Korean Heritage Month and acknowledging the importance of the community in creating a more vibrant and richly diverse Canadian society.