Remarks by
The Honourable John Harvard, P.C., O.M.
Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
Chinese New Year Banquet
Kum Koon Garden
Wednesday, February 9, 2005 – 6:30 p.m.
Honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen.
Her Honour and I have had the pleasure of sharing in good things and
meeting great people since my appointment as Lieutenant Governor last
year. We've had loads of fun.
But it doesn't get better than this.
Joining you tonight as you celebrate the Chinese New Year is one of the highlights of the year.
It is a must event of the year.
To miss it would be a deep disappointment and that's what Her Honour
is feeling tonight. As we celebrate – as we eat, drink and enjoy the company
of good friends – my wife is stuck in a university class. Lenore is not
content with just one Masters Degree she's getting a second in Family
Therapy. So, she can’t be with us tonight. After I tell her what she missed,
she might need her own therapy. Anyway, she regrets not being able to
share in the celebration.
This marks the end of the year of the monkey on the lunar calendar and
the beginning of the year of the rooster. So, we have the monkey off our
backs. Now it’s the rooster’s turn – that's something we can crow about
and celebrate for the next 12 months.
I'm advised that this is lunar calendar year 4,703 – I have trouble going
back 2005 years on the Gregorian calendar – 4,703 years is something else
again. It’s hard to relate to.
But I have no problem relating to the Canadian Chinese people and what you have meant to Canada.
Yours is a history that goes back to the early days of Canada and tonight we celebrate with you that
history and pay tribute to your good citizenship. You have enriched our society, you have enriched our lives.
You re part of what makes Canada great.
Canada is an immigrant country – over the decades, Canada has opened her arms to the world – What we
have today is a nation rich in diversity - - -culturally, ethnically, economically - - -but in that complex
mosaic is something distinctively Canadian: a deep love of this land, a respect for all cultures and
tolerance for all points of view.
Your community – The Canadian Chinese Community – is one of the major
pillars of Canadian society. You may be proud of your countless contributions
to the building of Canada and I'm proud to join others to pay tribute
to your community as you celebrate the dawn of a new year.
May this the year of the rooster be the best ever.
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