NDP motion for Canada-Portugal Day receives unanimous consent

“o dia 10 de junho de cada ano seja conhecido como o dia Canadá-Portugal”
 
OTTAWA— Just in time for this year’s Portugal Day celebration, a motion introduced by New Democrat Olivia Chow (Trinity—Spadina), on behalf of the Canada-Portugal Parliamentary Friendship Group, to declare June 10 Canada-Portugal Day received unanimous consent in the House of Commons.

“I am very pleased that Canada is recognizing the richness that Portuguese Canadians add to our cultural fabric,” said Chow. “With the declaration of June 10 as Canada-Portugal Day, Parliament has expressed gratitude for the contribution of the Luso-Canadian community to Canada.”
 
“I am certain my Portuguese constituents will be elated with this news,” said Sault MP Tony Martin.  “I’m glad that this has happened in time for their own Portugal Day celebrations this Saturday.”
 
Portuguese Canadians have a long history in Canada, dating back to the sixteenth century off the coast of Newfoundland. Names of Portuguese origin are found all along the Atlantic coast of Canada.
 
Almost half a million people of Portuguese descent call Canada home.
 
The motion reads:
That, in the opinion of the House, throughout Canada in each and every year, June 10 shall be known as Canada-Portugal day in celebration of the friendship between Portugal and Canada and in recognition of the history of the Luso-Canadian community and its contribution to Canadian society.
 
É de opinião desta Câmara que, em todo o Canadá, o dia 10 de junho de cada ano seja conhecido como o dia Canadá-Portugal em comemoração à amizade entre o Portugal e o Canadá e em reconhecimento à história da comunidade luso-canadiana e sua contribuição à sociedade canadiana.