Hello.
Mayor Parrish, Karli, esteemed guests, and parliamentary colleagues from the Peel region – it’s an honour to join you all at the 24th annual Trillium Diwali Gala, Canada’s first and longest-running Diwali gala.
Since its founding, this gala has raised more than $12 million for health care services.
Last year, you raised a record-breaking $1.5 million for surgery and cardiac health resources.
And tonight, you’re raising money for a vital cause – the Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital, which will become Canada’s largest hospital.
The new hospital will create one of the biggest emergency departments in the province and will include the landmark Shah Family Hospital for Women and Children
I would like to thank the Trillium Health Foundation and every donor, volunteer, and organiser here tonight for what you’ve built – and what you’re building still.
I’d also like to thank Peter Gilgan for his commitment to his community, this province, and our country. Peter is a true builder, whose energy and advice we’re relying on to build Canada strong.
Tonight is a celebration of community and generosity.
Those are values central to Diwali.
The festival represents the triumph of light over darkness. The renewal of hope. The pursuit of virtue.
As diyas and candles light thousands of households across our country, the festival of lights reflects Canada’s diversity of faith and our unity within that diversity.
Diwali is a time for families and friends to gather and honour traditions passed down through generations.
It’s also a time for reflection.
In a rapidly changing world – one that’s more divided, more uncertain – it’s a time to slow down and refocus on what matters.
On the rights, freedoms, and opportunities we have here in Canada.
And on a simple, but profound truth: We are all part of the same country – extraordinary, generous, and strong.
This year has tested – and strengthened – the bonds we share as Canadians.
Amid these upheavals, Canadians have taken three big lessons.
First, Canadians have learned that we must focus on what we can control.
At a time of disruption abroad, that means building our strength at home.
That is why Canada’s new government has acted quickly with measures to build:
- a strong and unified economy.
- millions of new homes.
- big projects that will connect and transform our country.
We are building one Canadian economy, millions of new homes, and big projects to connect and transform our country. Because we know we can give ourselves more than any foreign country can ever take away.
The second lesson we’ve learned is that we have to take care of each other.
That’s why Canada’s new government is laser-focused on affordability – by cutting taxes while protecting the social programs that support the most vulnerable in our society.
That’s why we will build by creating hundreds of thousands of high-paying careers in the skilled trades, by buying Canadian, and working with Indigenous Canadians.
Taking care of each other also means always supporting our workers when times are tough, as we are by ensuring that Stellantis meets all its commitments to its workers here in Brampton.
And third, we have to look out for ourselves.
That’s why we’re focused on protecting our communities, our borders, our country, and our way of life.
This is Canada, and in Canada, you should be able to wake up, get in your car, drive to work, go to a temple, come home, and sleep soundly at night.
When our laws repeatedly fail to protect those basic rights, we need new laws.
Yesterday, I announced two major new measures our government is taking to build safer communities for you and your loved ones.
First, we are strengthening the Criminal Code to get tough on bail and sentencing – helping provinces and municipalities keep violent criminals and repeat offenders off our streets, and out of our communities.
That means tougher bail and sentencing for home invasions, extortion, violent auto theft, and human trafficking and smuggling.
We’re cracking down on organised crime, including by listing the Bishnoi Gang as the terrorist organisation that it is.
Stricter bail and tougher sentencing will protect those we love, and they will deliver the justice Canadians deserve.
Tougher laws are only one part of safer communities – we also need the people and the resources to enforce them.
So, as our second measure, we are hiring 1,000 new Royal Canadian Mounted Police personnel.
We are fixing ineffective policies from the past and meeting this moment with tough new laws, strong new resources, and practical solutions.
And as we build safer communities, we are also securing our border and our sovereignty.
This morning, I announced that Canada will be hiring 1,000 new border services officers to detect, disrupt, and dismantle organised crime, drug trafficking, and immigration fraud.
With added capacity, Canada will monitor our land, air, rail, and maritime ports of entry – and ensure those seeking to harm our country are apprehended and punished.
We are also taking action to protect places of worship – tabling legislation that will make it a criminal offence to intentionally and wilfully obstruct access for those seeking to pray, including at mandirs and gurdwaras.
This moment requires determination, pragmatism, and the conviction to act when it matters.
Because security is the foundation of trust – in our economy and in our communities.
This is what allows Canadians to build, to invest, and to prosper.
As communities come together for Diwali, let’s celebrate the light and choose to create it.
Because that light – it doesn’t appear on its own.
It’s something we make, together.
This room knows that.
You’ve built hospitals, supported your neighbours, looked out for each other – not because it’s easy, but because it’s right.
It reminds me of something Leonard Cohen once wrote: “Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There’s a crack – a crack in everything – that’s where the light gets in.”
And that’s the truth of this moment. In every rupture, there’s possibility. In every crack, there’s light.
And so tonight, as we celebrate Diwali, it’s our responsibility and privilege to find that light to let it shine on all.
The light of generosity, the light of service, the light of a Canada, strong, true, and free.
Thank you. Happy Diwali.