Canadian Parliamentarians mark Thai Pongal and Tamil Heritage Month

Several Canadian Parliamentarians, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have released messages wishing Tamil Canadians a Happy Thai Pongal and Tamil Heritage Month.

In a statement, Prime Minister Trudeau wished the Tamil community a Happy Thai Pongal, stating,

“Thai Pongal is a time of joy, celebration, and community… While festivities may look different again this year as we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, I know Tamil Canadians will find ways to embody the core values of peace, unity, and compassion at the heart of the celebration of Thai Pongal… I wish everyone celebrating Thai Pongal, here in Canada and around the world, a joyful festival…Iniya Thai Pongal Nalvazhthukkal.”

Thai Pongal is a time of celebration, joy, and community. And even though many of you are once again celebrating away from family and friends, I want to wish you and your loved ones a safe and joyful festival. Iniya Thai Pongal Nalvazhthukkal. https://t.co/kjmP4V5YMr

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 14, 2022

The Federal Liberal Caucus also released a video wishing Tamil Canadians a happy Thai Pongal and thanking the Tamil community for their contributions, stating,

“The Tamil community has contributed immensely to the Canadian society we enjoy today… Tamil Canadians continue to be an asset to Canada’s social, economic, political and cultural foundation.”

On behalf of the Federal Liberal Caucus, we wish a happy Tamil Heritage Month & a Happy Thai Pongal! Iniya Pongal Nalvazhthukkal ☀️

Thai Pongal is an opportunity for Tamils around the 🌏 to come together & celebrate the first day of the month Thai, of the Tamil Calendar 🗓 pic.twitter.com/6AfSXWSTrI

— Gary Anandasangaree (@gary_srp) January 14, 2022

Parliamentarians featured in the video include MP Anita Anand, MP Gary Anandasangaree, MP Annie Koutrakis, MP Kamal Khera, MP Fayçal El-Khoury, MP Sonia Sidhu, MP Bill Blair, MP Marci Ien, MP Judy Sgro, MP Peter Fonseca, MP Ya’ara Saks, MP Bardish Chagger, MP Jennifer O’Connel, MP Ruby Sahota, MP Marco Mendicino, MP Iqwinder Gaheer, MP Shaun Chen, MP Salma Zahid, MP Jean Yip, MP John McKay, MP Mark Holland, MP Maninder Sidhu, MP Mary NG and MP Ahmed Hussen.

Ontario’s PC Caucus tweeted marking Tamil heritage month, stating:

This January, we celebrate all of the hard work and contributions of Tamil Ontarians over the years. The Ontario PC Caucus is proud to be the home of the first 2 Tamil MPPs, and together, we look forward to building a better future for all of Ontario. Happy #TamilHeritageMonth! pic.twitter.com/rHtCGCy2hH

— Ontario PC Caucus (@OntarioPCCaucus) January 13, 2022

The Leader of the Opposition, Erin O’Toole, also marked the occasion by tweeting:

January is Tamil Heritage Month, and this week, Canada’s Tamil community will celebrate Thai Pongal. We’re proud of our vibrant and active Tamil community. Best wishes to those celebrating Thai Pongal in Canada and around the world! pic.twitter.com/tccUEPTObo

— Erin O’Toole (@erinotoole) January 14, 2022

Leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Jagmeet Singh, also tweeted marking the event:

As a new year begins, I wish all Tamils celebrating – in Canada and around the world – a joyous Thai Pongal celebration with family and friends.

Iniya Thai Pongal Valthukkal! pic.twitter.com/Vdtq8Hcxpq

— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) January 14, 2022

The Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, also released a video wishing Tamil Ontarions a Happy Thai Pongal and Tamil heritage month.

“Ontario is proud to be home to a strong and resilient Tamil community who have a tremendous impact on the success and prosperity of our province. This month is an opportunity to honour the significant contributions of our Tamil community and learn more about their rich customs and cultural heritage,” Ford said.

Happy Tamil Heritage Month!

Today, #Tamil Ontarians will be celebrating #ThaiPongal. I wish all those celebrating a happy and joyous festival, filled with laughter, prosperity, and optimism.

From my family to yours, Iniya Thai Pongal Vazhthukal! #PongaloPongal! pic.twitter.com/Al02u5wP1D

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) January 15, 2022

MP Majid Jowhari, MP Francesco Sorbara, MP Leah Taylor Roy and MP Gary Anandasangaree attended Thai Pongal celebrations held in the Richmond Hill Hindu Temple.

“I hope everyone is celebrating a very Happy Pongal… I also want to take this opportunity to thank Tamil Canadians for their invaluable contributions to building a stronger and inclusive Canada,” MP Jowhari stated,

Happy Pongal! It was an honour to attend Tamil Pongal Festival celebration in Richmond Hill Hindu Temple amongst colleagues & friends.I hope everyone is celebrating a very Happy Pongal,& may the almighty bless you all with health, wealth & prosperity. #TamilHeritageMonth pic.twitter.com/ApNyjXccux

— Majid Jowhari (@MajidJowhari) January 14, 2022

MPP for Scarborough-Rouge Park, Vijay Thanigasalam, also released a video statement wishing Canadians a Happy Pongal:

A Happy #ThaiPongal and #TamilNewYear to all Tamils that are celebrating this wonderful festival. This festival marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the Tamil calendar year. Thanks is given to nature, the Sun and farm cattle for providing grain and harvest! pic.twitter.com/Se8jsIwonU

— Vijay Thanigasalam (@The_VijayT) January 14, 2022

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, MP Sean Fraser, marked Thai Pongal by tweeting:

Happy Thai Pongal to all those celebrating in Canada and around the world // Joyeux Thaï Pongal à tous ceux qui célèbrent au Canada et partout dans le monde.

From my family to yours, inniya Thai Pongal Nalvazhthukal! pic.twitter.com/08xaojkqhr

— Sean Fraser (@SeanFraserMP) January 14, 2022

Minister Todd Smith, responsible for passing the Tamil Heritage Month Bill in Ontario in 2014, also released a video statement wishing Tamil Canadians a Happy Thai Pongal.

Vanakkam! Happy #ThaiPongal to Ontario’s Tamil community!

I’m personally grateful for my longstanding relationship with the Tamil community. As we celebrate the values of cohesiveness and unity, and look forward to a bountiful year ahead, I wish you a Happy #TamilHeritageMonth! pic.twitter.com/JEuYvpmqk4

— Todd Smith (@ToddSmithPC) January 14, 2022

Ontario’s Minister of labour, training and skills development, Monte McNaughton, released a video statement marking the occasion.

Today, Tamils in Ontario, and across the world, celebrate Thai Pongal to give thanks for family and friends. ⁰⁰January also marks Tamil Heritage Month to recognize our vibrant Tamil community and their many contributions. ⁰⁰To everyone celebrating, have a joyful #ThaiPongal. pic.twitter.com/gIO0MWzAp8

— Monte McNaughton (@MonteMcNaughton) January 14, 2022

MPP for Scarborough-North, Raymond Cho also released a video commemorating Thai Pongal to Twitter:

#HappyPongal & #TamilNewYear to our Tamil community in #ScarbTO & across #Ontario as you give thanks to the harvest season.

The past year has been difficult & unusual. May this festival bring bountiful harvest & usher brighter days ahead. #PongaloPongal!#Pongal2022 pic.twitter.com/f4EYtz6Fa8

— Raymond Cho (@RaymondChoPC) January 14, 2022