The Spanish-speaking community in Canada is celebrating this October in a special way, following the official recognition by the Federal Parliament of Latin American Heritage Month. As highlighted in this interview by the director of the Hispanic Canadian Heritage Council, Óscar Vigil, it is “the result of the effort of many people who have been pushing for many years.”
In the very heart of Toronto, with the chords of Canada’s national anthem blending with Colombian cumbia, the folk sounds of Mexico, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Venezuela, Argentine wine, and the delicious Peruvian pisco with which the toast was made, Toronto Mayor John Tory, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism Pablo Rodríguez, Senator Rosa Gálvez, HCHC directors, consuls, and leaders of our community raised their glasses to the historic moment of Spanish-speaking immigrants in this country, on a truly memorable night.
The event was held to announce to the world and to Canadians — but especially to the Hispanic and Latin American community — that Parliament and the Federal Government have declared October as Latin American Heritage Month (according to the official Act of Parliament). However, in HCHC’s invitation, it is referred to as Hispanic/Latin American Heritage Month, or Mes de la Herencia Hispano-Latina, as one of the organization’s directors explained.
Por Ciro Alquichire V., en La Portada, 2 Oct. 2018
The celebration of Hispanic Latin American Heritage Month reaches its fourth year — officially. It first began as a municipal initiative in Toronto in 2009. Then, in 2015, it expanded to gain recognition from the Province of Ontario. And now, as expected, it has become a federal celebration — with the ‘blessing’ of the Canadian Parliament.
The opening, held last Thursday the 27th in Toronto, featured as the central guest the Latin American–born politician with the most prominent position in the country: Argentine-Canadian Pablo Rodríguez, who recently took office as federal Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism. Also present were Canadian Senator Rosa Gálvez — of Peruvian origin; Toronto Mayor John Tory; and notable figures such as Ana Bailao — Deputy Mayor and Councillor — and Cristina Martins, former Provincial MPP.
Missing, of course, was the one everyone hopes to see, the “mero mero,” as Mexicans would say — the Prime Minister. But word has it that the popular Justin Trudeau will finally appear at Latin American Day on Parliament Hill, October 16 in Ottawa.
