Honourable senators, I rise today to speak to Bill S-218, An Act respecting Latin American Heritage Month.

Last month I appeared as a witness before the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology to speak to this bill, as Senator Enverga mentioned. Latin American Canadians, such as myself, are useful links to the democratic nations of the Americas. Politically and economically, Canada holds numerous multilateral agreements with individuals and groups of Latin American countries, assisting in creating political, economic and commercial alliances. Recognizing our shared cultural heritage in Canada with a Latin American heritage month would strengthen the ties between Canadian and Latin American countries and provide a specific time to celebrate the cultural, social and economic contributions of Canadians and permanent residents of Latin American origin in Canada.

In a written statement, the President of the Canadian Council for the Americas, Mr. Kenneth Frankel, provided his organization’s support for establishing Latin American heritage month in Canada. In his letter he described the benefits of designating a Latin American heritage month:

First, it would send an important message to all Canadians, including Canadians from Latin American communities, that Canada, our country, recognizes the key and ongoing contributions that Canadians of Latin American communities have made to Canada.

Second, it would send a message to Canadians, Latin Americans and indeed the entire world that Canada values its relationship and the shared commitment to fundamental liberal democratic values and inclusive societal goals.

Third, it would send a message to the world that in an era of troubling nativist rhetoric and events ongoing in the world, Canada extols, has benefited and will continue to benefit critically from multiculturalism.

As I recently mentioned in a statement in this chamber, during my last visit to Peru, I participated in a meeting convened by the President of the Congress. I represented our Speaker from the Senate. Presidents and vice-presidents of the congress of 12 Latin American nations gathered to strongly condemn the actions of the President of Venezuelan. It showed how Latin American nations can act as a bloc. I reiterated Canada’s strong commitment to democratic values in the Americas and called for a negotiated return to democratic order in Venezuela by signing a statement which reaffirms our trust of democratic values.

The Americas share tectonic plates, a chain of mountains such as the Andes and mystic rivers such as the Amazon. We also share a history of past and recent events, and cultural and economic ties reunite Canada with Latin American countries. Individually and together, they are important allies to Canada.

There is no bad angle to support this bill, whether you assess the economic, political or social aspects, or whether you look at it from the perspective of those born in Canada or Latin American-born immigrants to Canada and their children and their families.

I can offer you an example from my own experience. As you know, I was born in Lima, Peru, and spent my childhood in a city typical to Latin America; overpopulated and very busy. It could have been Santiago, Mexico City, Bogota or Rio de Janeiro. We speak a Latin language, we share the same religion and we all look alike.

During my work at McGill University, my name was on the entrance board and my office was considered the Latino student orientation office. Every Latino passed by my office looking for advice. My fellow Canadian Latinos like to show solidarity. We want to help each other. We try to cheer up our co-citizens. Our cup is always half full.

The Latino way of living is epicurean. It allows for enjoying the present through friendship, sharing music, cuisine and life experience. How many Canadian friends have we convinced to explore the Andes, the Amazon jungle, the Maya, Aztec and Inca archaeological sites? How many Canadians have formed life-long friendships with people in Latin American countries and of Latin American origin? Thousands.

A month to celebrate Latin American heritage will be successful in bringing all cultures together.

I like numbers, as you know. I think they illustrate facts very well. A statistic may help in viewing how the Latin American community is perceived and integrated in Canada. Latin American Canadians tend to be well integrated. According to the ethnic diversity study, 82 per cent of citizens with Latin American origins feel a strong sense of belonging to Canada. Like me, they stay here by choice. Seventeen per cent of Latin American adults in Canada hold university degrees, higher than the average of 15 per cent; 64 per cent of Latin American adults, compared to 62 per cent of the general population. These statistics demonstrate that Latin Americans have a high rate of integration into the economy and Canadian society.

Likewise, Latin American students make a substantial group in graduate studies in science and engineering at Canadian universities. Indeed, during my professional career as a professor and engineer, I have encouraged many Canadian professors to teach in Latin American universities, and I have convinced many students from Latin America to come and study in Canada. This exchange of knowledge is invaluable in an educated society. Indeed, some of the immigrants who could have chosen to return to their countries did not. They remained in Canada.

Latin Americans who remain and love Canada not only do it because of the job opportunities — and I want to stress this — but because of the openness, the values, the kindness, resilience and hard-working nature of Canadian people.

What these immigrants bring to Canada, as did waves of immigrants from Central and South America over the past half century, is a rich cultural heritage, not only in arts, crafts, textiles, music, agriculture and food products, but also in their perspectives and relationship with indigenous peoples. The opportunity to celebrate this cultural heritage with Canadians of Latin American or other origins benefits all Canadians.

[Translation]

Honourable senators, we must also consider the fact that, in Canada, the Latin culture shines through our French heritage. Francophone communities in Quebec, Acadia, Manitoba, and Ontario enjoy their interactions with Latin American communities, with whom they share a sense of solidarity and a common culture.

I salute, thank, and support Senator Enverga for his initiative to sponsor this bill.

[English]

Latin American heritage month will provide Canadians with a yearly recurring opportunity to celebrate and learn more about the cultural heritage and legacy of Latin Americans in Canada and to be part of this continuous exercise in nation building.

[Translation]

Honourable colleagues, I thank you in advance and encourage you to support Bill S-218. Thank you very much.