July 2003 - Nr. 7
Message from
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson
Governor General of Canada
on Canadian Multiculturalism Day
June 27, 2003
Greetings to all Canadians on this inaugural celebration of Canadian Multiculturalism Day.
Our cultural diversity has been a source of strength and pride for decades. This new national day formally recognizes a compelling fact of Canadian life: no other country succeeds as well as Canada at bringing together such a wide cross-section of humanity in peace and harmony. Canada is at once a mirror of global diversity and a beacon that may guide other nations.
As a lead-up to our national birthday party on July 1, Canadian Multiculturalism Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on one of the things that makes our country truly great-the splendid array of peoples that make up our citizenry is a national treasure whose benefits to Canada are beyond measure. Our multicultural heritage is integral to all aspects of Canadian life, whether economic, social, artistic or political. On this day I encourage all Canadians to reaffirm your commitment to the values that are so central to the Canadian identity-equality, mutual respect and unity in diversity.
Adrienne Clarkson
