June 20, 2018: Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly and more than dozen Canadian Members of Parliament from all the main political parties including Arif Virani, Garnett Genuis, Randall Garrison, David Sweet and Sven Spengemann attended Thank You Canada event at the Parliament Hill, Ottawa on June 12, 2018.
From Tibetan side, CTA President Dr. Lobsang Sangay, Six member Tibetan Parliamentary delegation, Representative Ngodup Tsering, Presidents of Tibetan Associations in Canada, representatives of Canada Tibet Committee, Parliamentary Friends of Tibet, Tibetan organizations and Tibet support groups have participated in the event.
The event started with the video message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama thanking the Canadian Government and its people for supporting Tibetans when it needed the most. Dr. Lobsang Sangay delivered the opening remarks and expressed gratitude to the old and new friends quoting from His Holiness the Dalai Lama who always says ‘make new friends but do not forget old friends’. Dr. Sangay said ‘you have been with us for many years and we request you to bear with us little longer’ indicating that Tibet issue would resolve soon. He also narrated the longstanding relationship between Tibet and Canada since 1970s when Canada first accepted Tibetan refugees from India.
The Minister Mélanie Joly said ‘We believe that having a strong ties between Canada and Tibet is fundamental and we believe in protecting Human Rights values and raising this issues everywhere in the world…..You (Tibetans) can definitely count on Canadian Government in supporting the Communities here and abroad.’
Many Tibet supporter MPs like Arif Virani, Randal Garrison, Garnett Genius, David Sweet spoke passionately in support of Tibetan people and His Holiness the Dalai Lama including DiNino, a former senator and longtime supporter of Tibet. Tibetan Parliament member Pema Chagzoetsang and Tsewang Rigzin thanked Canada on behalf of the Tibetan parliamentary Delegation comprising of Mingyur Dorjee, Dhondup Tashi, Namgyal Dolkar and Tenpa Yarphel.
Ottawa Tibetan Community Association and Canadian Tibetan Association of Ontario showcased spectacular cultural performances, which enthralled two hundred guests attendees. The event ended with Vote of Thanks from Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama Mr. Ngodup Tsering who thanked Canada for supporting Tibet since 1959 when His Holiness was forced to flee Tibet. He said “more than ever, we need your help in urging the Chinese leadership to negotiate a settlement with representatives of His Holiness.” He presented a Souvenir to Minister Mélanie Joly to thank Canada on behalf of Tibetan people.
Thank You Canada event is organized on June 12, 2018 to thank Canadian Government and the people for supporting Tibetan people and His Holiness the Dalai Lama for many decades. Office of Tibet, Parliamentary Friends of Tibet and Canada Tibet Committee jointly organized the event with the supports from Canadian Tibetan Association of Ontario and Ottawa Tibetan Community Association.
