Canadian Parliamentarians mark Thai Pongal and Tamil Heritage Month

by Ambika
Jan 15, 2022

MP Francesco Sorbara, MP Majid Jowhari and MP Gary Anandasangaree celebrate Thai Pongal at the Richmond Hill Hindu Temple

Several Canadian Parliamentarians, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have released messages wishing Tamil Canadians a Happy Thai Pongal and Tamil Heritage Month. 

In a statement, Prime Minister Trudeau wished the Tamil community a Happy Thai Pongal, stating,

“Thai Pongal is a time of joy, celebration, and community… While festivities may look different again this year as we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, I know Tamil Canadians will find ways to embody the core values of peace, unity, and compassion at the heart of the celebration of Thai Pongal… I wish everyone celebrating Thai Pongal, here in Canada and around the world, a joyful festival…Iniya Thai Pongal Nalvazhthukkal.”

The Federal Liberal Caucus also released a video wishing Tamil Canadians a happy Thai Pongal and thanking the Tamil community for their contributions, stating,

“The Tamil community has contributed immensely to the Canadian society we enjoy today… Tamil Canadians continue to be an asset to Canada’s social, economic, political and cultural foundation.” 

Parliamentarians featured in the video include MP Anita Anand, MP Gary Anandasangaree, MP Annie Koutrakis, MP Kamal Khera, MP Fayçal El-Khoury, MP Sonia Sidhu, MP Bill Blair, MP Marci Ien, MP Judy Sgro, MP Peter Fonseca, MP Ya’ara Saks, MP Bardish Chagger, MP Jennifer O’Connel, MP Ruby Sahota, MP Marco Mendicino, MP Iqwinder Gaheer, MP Shaun Chen, MP Salma Zahid, MP Jean Yip, MP John McKay, MP Mark Holland, MP Maninder Sidhu, MP Mary NG and MP Ahmed Hussen. 

Ontario's PC Caucus tweeted marking Tamil heritage month, stating:

The Leader of the Opposition, Erin O'Toole, also marked the occasion by tweeting:

Leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Jagmeet Singh, also tweeted marking the event:

The Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, also released a video wishing Tamil Ontarions a Happy Thai Pongal and Tamil heritage month.

 "Ontario is proud to be home to a strong and resilient Tamil community who have a tremendous impact on the success and prosperity of our province. This month is an opportunity to honour the significant contributions of our Tamil community and learn more about their rich customs and cultural heritage," Ford said.

MP Majid Jowhari, MP Francesco Sorbara, MP Leah Taylor Roy and MP Gary Anandasangaree attended Thai Pongal celebrations held in the Richmond Hill Hindu Temple.

“I hope everyone is celebrating a very Happy Pongal… I also want to take this opportunity to thank Tamil Canadians for their invaluable contributions to building a stronger and inclusive Canada," MP Jowhari stated,

MPP for Scarborough-Rouge Park, Vijay Thanigasalam, also released a video statement wishing Canadians a Happy Pongal: 

MP for Brampton East, Gurratan Singh, released a video statement commemorating Thai Pongal on Twitter:

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, MP Sean Fraser, marked Thai Pongal by tweeting: 

Minister Todd Smith, responsible for passing the Tamil Heritage Month Bill in Ontario in 2014, also released a video statement wishing Tamil Canadians a Happy Thai Pongal. 

Ontario's Minister of labour, training and skills development, Monte McNaughton, released a video statement marking the occasion. 

MPP for Scarborough-North, Raymond Cho also released a video commemorating Thai Pongal to Twitter: 

 

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