Greetings from the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism

I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to all those attending lhe Annual Caribbean Days Festival and the Multicultural Parade, organized by the Trinidad and Tobago Cultural Society of British Columbia. On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. I would like to lake this opportunity thank the organizers and sponsors of this event for your continued commitment to Canadian society.

I am proud to live in a country that embraces diversity and champions the Canadian values of democracy. freedom. human rights and the rule of law. The Annual Caribbean Days Festival is a wonderful example of this diversity and Canadian values in action. In fact, the Caribbean Days Festival is a clear example of what the Government of Canada means when it discusses Canadian pluralism. You are Canadians, actively participating. learning and working together to form a strong and cohesive Canada.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper once said that "Pluralism is the principle that binds our diverse peoples together." Each year, the Trinidad and Tobago Cultural Society contributes to Canadian diversity through your Caribbean Days events, for with each event. we are all given the opportunity to share and appreciate the various traditions of our families, friends and neighbours. Canada is a great pluralistic success story. but it is contributions like these that help make that story even greater.

Thank you again for your dedicated contributions and best wishes for a wonderful event.

Sincerely,

The Honourable Jason Kenney. PC, MP Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism