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Minister Kenney issues statement recognizing Tết
February 19, 2015 – The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister for Multiculturalism, issued the following statement to mark the celebration of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year:
“Today, Canadians of Vietnamese heritage will gather with loved ones and neighbours to celebrate the start of a bright and promising new year.
“Tết Nguyên Đán is a time of celebration and reflection, as well as a time to recognize good fortune and look hopefully to the future. People of Vietnamese origin observe Tết by paying homage to their ancestors, going to church or temple, and attending local festivals, events and celebrations in their community.
“Each year is dedicated to an element and a specific animal, and this year we enter the Year of the Wood Goat. The Goat symbolizes trustworthiness and reliability, and those born under this sign are said to be hard-working and determined.
“This year’s Têt celebration marks the 40th anniversary of the exodus of the Boat People and their resettlement in Canada after the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. As we bid farewell to the year of the Horse and welcome the Year of the Goat, we celebrate the meaningful contributions of the Vietnamese-Canadian community by commemorating the Vietnamese refugees’ perilous journey to freedom and by celebrating Canada’s humanitarian role in welcoming thousands of refugees during and after the Vietnam War.”
“As Minister for Multiculturalism, I offer my best wishes to everyone celebrating Tết, and hope the Year of the Goat will be a year of health, wealth and good fortune.”
Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! Happy New Year!
