We've met with Mr. Anandasangaree, MP, and Mr. Thanigasalam, MPP; who have both agreed to lend their assistance with this process.  We've been informed that since this is an election year for the Federal government, there will be significant delays.

Nonetheless, we're moving forward and we've drafted our petition to the Government of Canada in the required format, as follows:

To the Government of Canada:

WHEREAS: Canada is home to a large and vibrant Caribbean-Canadian community; a diverse group representing forty-two Caribbean nations, regions and territories; a uniquely, wide range of ancestries, such as Indigenous, European, South American, African and Asian; and a multitude of languages including the six official languages: English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Creole and Papiamento; and

WHEREAS: The Caribbean population in Canada is in excess of 800,000 people, with the first immigrant-workers arriving in the late 1700’s; and

WHEREAS: The Government of Canada recognizes the significant contributions that Caribbean-Canadians have made to Canada’s social, economic, political and cultural fabric; and

WHEREAS: October is an important month for Caribbean-Canadians, since Caribbean immigration and settlement within Canada significantly increased after improvements were made to the Immigration Regulations in October 1967; and

WHEREAS: Caribbean Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about Caribbean-Canadians and the important and inspirational role that they have played and continue to play in communities across Canada;

We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to proclaim the month of October as “Caribbean Heritage Month”.