MessageAuthor: Gilbert Laurin representing the Canadian High Commission On behalf of the Canadian government, thank you for the invitation to participate in the Convention of Leaders of Associations of Maltese Abroad. This is an important event, not only for the Maltese living abroad and those living in Malta. It is an equally important event for Canada and for the countries which you have just come. High Commissioner Kinsman would have wished to have been here but he is in Milan today with the Canadian Minister of Industry, Mr John Manley. He sends his wishes for a very successful Convention. As I was just saying, this Convention is important not just to the Maltese but to Canada. As you know, Canada is a multi-cultural society; it is official Canadian Government policy to encourage those who have chosen to emigrate to Canada to maintain their culture, to keep strong the ties with the places from which they came. And that is precisely what you will be doing here this week and next. Not only are you going to strengthen those ties but as I can see from the agenda of the Convention you will be looking for ways to make the Maltese language and culture stronger and to ensure that the young who are part of the second and third generation of Maltese abroad keep the connection with Malta strong. That is all for the good - the good of Malta and the good of Canada. Those Canadians who are here participating in this Convention, I believe will go back to Canada, better Canadians, better able to contribute to the Canadian body politic. They will have done so by re-affirming their links with Malta. I have no doubt that this applies, not only to the Canadians here, but to all of you participating in this Convention. Canada enjoys warm relations with Malta. Along with shared membership in the Commonwealth, the large Maltese-Canadian community of approximately 30,000 helps to sustain excellent bilateral ties. Let me say a few words about the Maltese community in Canada, at the risk of being corrected by the people here who know that community far better than I do. I met some of them last night. The first Maltese immigrants to Canada came in 1840, before there was such a thing as Canada. Significant groups arrived around 1907 and just after the First World War, facilitated by Malta being part of the British Empire. However, most Maltese Canadians find their origin in the 18,000-strong post World War II - immigration. Most of these immigrants settled in Toronto with small Maltese communities establishing themselves in Montreal, Winnipeg and Vancouver. The Maltese adapted to life in Canada more easily than many of the immigrants. That is not surprising, as they knew English, one of our two official languages and by virtue of their exposure to British law and parliamentary life, they understood Canadian institutions from the moment they arrived, they shared our values. What you are embarking on today is important to Malta, it is important to the countries from which you come and it is important to society at large. By ensuring that we remain ever more connected with one another, you are helping weave the fabric of peace and security in the world. It may not be your primary objective but it will be the inevitable by-product of your efforts. I very sincerely wish you every success. Thank you.
    
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