News East West
TORONTO: Tamil Canadians will observe as Tamil Heritage Month by organizing cultural events, including Thai Pongal.
There are over 300,000 Tamils in Canada, mostly from Sri Lanka. The bulk of them came after the start of the ethnic war in Sri Lanka in 1983 which forced them to seek sanctuary in western countries. In Canada, most Tamils are concentrated in the Scarborough area of Toronto.
The New Democratic Party, which boasts first Tamil Canadian MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan in its ranks and pushing a bill to offiicially designate January as Tamil Heritage Month, has congratulated the Tamil community on the start of Tamil Heritage Month.
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NDP multiculturalism critic Andrew Cash said, “On behalf of the New Democratic Party, I am pleased to recognize today as the beginning of Tamil Heritage Month.’’
Cash said, “For more than 75 years, Tamils have enriched our country, both on the economic and socio-cultural levels. We acknowledge their contributions and are proud to recognize them.’’
He said the NDP is urging the government to support the party’s bill to officially designate the month of January Tamil Heritage Month.
