August 2000 - Nr. 8
German Pioneer Day
On June 25, 2000, a private member’s bill to celebrate an annual German
Pioneers Day passed the third reading in the Ontario Legislature. Kitchener
Centre MP Wayne Wettlaufer introduced the bill in October 1998.
The purpose of this bill is to recognize the great contributions made to Canada by citizens of German heritage and will be celebrated on the day after Thanksgiving.
This bill also recognizes that Germans are an integral part of the population of Ontario. At one time, in 1821, 125 thousand persons lived in Ontario of which 70% had German roots!
The Americans have already since the Reagan administration a national German Day. Perhaps this Ontario bill will encourage other provinces to follow this good example of Ontario, since people of German heritage have made valuable contributions in most of our provinces for well over 300 years.
This will definitely generate a " long overdue" recognition for German Canadians and "add to their sense of self worth," stated Mr. Wettlaufer.
Congratulations are in order to Mr. Wettlaufer and all who helped him accomplish this. No doubt, the German Canadian community in Ontario is very grateful!
