The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, invites everyone to celebrate Canada Day from coast to coast to coast
OTTAWA, July 1, 2018 /CNW/ - Today is Canada Day, a time we come together as Canadians to celebrate our achievements, traditions and heritage, as we look toward a bright future.
The themes for this year's Canada Day are reconciliation, women and diversity. Each one highlights the important progress we have made, as well as the work that lies ahead for all of us.
This year, we have taken an important step in renewing our relationship with Indigenous Peoples. We are working with the support of the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis Nation to promote, preserve and revitalize Indigenous languages. Our engagement with First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada this summer will inform the co-development of Indigenous languages legislation and help preserve these languages for generations to come.
We are also celebrating Canadian women this Canada Day, to acknowledge those who spoke up against acts of sexual assault, harassment and discrimination. Their courage and advocacy have helped drive the change toward gender equality. Our government supports these efforts, including new measures at Canadian Heritage that only fund organizations if they commit to providing a workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment.
Finally, we celebrate our diversity and reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive society that respects all people. Our government continues to address the issues that hold some people back from being equal members of society. This includes increasing funding to Canadian Heritage programs that help strengthen diverse communities and work toward eliminating racism and discrimination.
Although being Canadian means different things to each one of us, as a country, we are united by our belief that we are stronger when everyone—no matter their culture, gender, religion, language or origin—can fully participate in our society.
So let's take this opportunity to come together as a country and celebrate what unites us. Let's reflect on this journey we call Canada, and take it, as we always do, together.
Happy Canada Day!
SOURCE Canadian Heritage
(media only), please contact: Simon Ross, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, 819-997-7788
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