Ethnic Press
Council of Canada Awards
Premier’s
Remarks
September 15,
2005
Thank you.
It’s great to
be here.
This is the
event I’ve been looking forward to this week.
Yes, I love
going to the film festival, too.
But after a
while, you get tired of people pointing at you and saying: who is
that guy with the movie star?
Tonight, I get
to play second banana to our award winners.
And I
couldn’t be prouder.
Congratulations
to you all.
You are some of
the best and brightest lights in your chosen field.
You
represent
vibrant communities throughout our province and you do it with integrity,
dedication and pride.
I also want to
thank all the people involved in organizing tonight’s awards ceremony.
It’s not
often I get to thank members of the press, but that’s exactly what I
want to do right now.
Thank you for doing tremendously important work, and doing it very well.
[Vous faites bien plus que de
couvrir l’actualité.
Vous offrez de l’emploi.
Vous aidez à bâtir
des communautés.]
You do more than cover the
news.
You provide jobs.
You help build communities.
You build bridges.
Between new lands and old.
Between new ways and old.
And you allow different voices to be heard.
Ontario’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths.
It fosters a wonderful view of the world.
A world where there is no “us” and “them” — there’s only “us”.
We are an example to the world.
And our diversity equips us to compete with the world.
Our people understand every market, embrace every culture and celebrate every faith.
This diversity enables us to expand our trade and build a stronger economy.
And it allows us to expand our horizons and build a stronger society.
We do this building on a firm foundation: our shared values.
And we do this building on common ground: the rule of law … one law, established by all the people, through their elected representatives.
I believe this view is fundamental to building a strong, caring and cohesive province.
And it is this view that was fundamental in the decision our government has taken when it comes to Sharia law.
We strongly
believe that no matter where you come from, or how long you've been here,
you have the undeniable right to be who you are, and to conduct your lives
as you wish to conduct them — subject to our shared values, our common
ground … as expressed in the rule of law, one law, for all Ontarians.
Families are,
and will always be, free to seek advice, including religious advice.
That is their
right.
But no longer
will religious arbitration be used to decide matters of family law.
I made this
decision to strengthen our multicultural society.
Because I
believe our beautiful mosaic is only as strong as the fabric that holds
its wonderful pieces together.
And that fabric
is what we all share: respect for one another, a realization that
diversity is a strength, and an understanding that many peoples can live
in peace together, under one law — one law that is the product of our
democracy, one law that should be a reflection of our shared values, hopes
and dreams for our society.
My belief in
diversity is fundamental to my hopes and dreams for Ontario.
And it’s
fundamental to our plan for Ontario.
Our province
can only succeed if our people know they are free to be who they are —
at the same time they are equipped to be the very best they can be.
That’s why
since coming to office we have increased funding for English as-a-second
language instruction in our schools by $64 million — so every child can
reach his or her full potential.
That’s why I
am proud that I was able to negotiate with the Prime Minster an agreement
that will quadruple funding over the next five years for programs for
newcomers to Ontario — to welcome them and help them settle here.
And that’s
why we’re doing more than any government in the history of Ontario to
provide foreign-trained professionals with access to the trades and
professions — so they’re fully integrated in our economy.
Last year, over
3,000 internationally trained individuals participated in more than 35
different bridge training programs that cut across a wide range of
professions and skilled trades.
This year,
we’re investing $12.5 million in programs that will help newcomers gain
access to trades and professions.
And, for the
first time ever, more international medical graduates were granted medical
licenses in Ontario than were Ontario graduates.
In the 21st century, in the highly competitive, truly global economy in which we live … the most jobs … the greatest investment … the finest opportunities … will go to the place with the best educated, the most highly skilled, and the most diverse people.
And those jobs … that investment … these opportunities … will create the wealth that will allow us to run the best schools … provide the finest health care and have the safest and strongest communities.
It will allow us to continue to build the kind of society that you and I want for our children and our children’s children.
My friends, working together, standing on the common ground we all share … and embracing the diversity that we all cherish … we can ensure Ontario has a quality of life that’s second to none …
We can offer the world the very best …
Because we represent what’s best in all the world.
I believe this is a vision we share.
And I thank you, for all you do, to make that vision a reality.
Thank you.
