Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated at Toronto City Hall

TORONTO, April 8, 2013 /CNW/ - The City of Toronto hosted an event at City Hall this evening proclaiming April as Hispanic Heritage Month in Toronto. This event also celebrated the City's Friendship City Agreement with the Ecuadorian city of Quito by launching an Ecuadorian art exhibit at City Hall.

Mayor Rob Ford and Councillor Cesar Palacio (Ward 17 Davenport) were joined by MP Ted Opitz, Dr. Andres Teran-Parral, Ambassador of Ecuador to Canada, Roger Garland, Chair, Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Organizing Committee, and numerous Consul Generals.

"Hispanic Heritage Month helps to showcase the vibrant culture and traditions of Toronto's Spanish-speaking communities," said Mayor Ford. "It's also an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions Hispanic-Canadians make to our city."

The event also launched an Ecuadorian art exhibit in City Hall's rotunda. The show is open to the public until April 12. The free exhibit features works - seen for the first time in Canada - by Ecuadorian artists Paul Garcia and Marco Serrano, who attended tonight's event.

The Ecuadorian art exhibit is presented by the Association of Ecuadorians in Ontario, the Consulate General of Ecuador and the City of Toronto.

"This Ecuadorian art exhibit is an excellent way to recognize the bonds we have with our Friendship City of Quito" said Councillor Palacio. "The City of Toronto is excited to host the art exhibit, and to highlight the creative and artistic connections we share with Ecuador."

The event was also attended by representatives of Toronto's 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games, including Olympic Games bronze-medal-winning boxer Chris Omar Johnson, who shared memories of his boxing and training experiences.

"In a little over two years, the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games will showcase this city's diversity to the 41 Pan Am nations," said Garland. "We are encouraging Hispanic Canadians to rally around these games and celebrate their cultural heritage and adopted home like never before."

More information about Toronto's role as host city of the 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games is available at http://www.toronto.ca/panam2015/.

The City of Toronto's official Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation can be viewed at http://www.toronto.ca/proclamations/2013index.htm.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

SOURCE: City of Toronto

Media contact: Shane Gerard, Communications Coordinator, 416-397-5711, [email protected]