OTTAWA, November 28, 2007 – The Honourable Jason Kenney, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity), will celebrate the Ethiopian Millennium tomorrow at an event in Ottawa.
“The Ethiopian presence in Canada dates from the 1980s,” said Secretary of State Kenney. “Canada now has a population of more than 15,000 Canadians of Ethiopian heritage who have contributed greatly to our economy in the areas of finance, engineering, and particularly in medicine. It is at events such as these that we can learn from each other and about our differences while celebrating our common Canadian identity.”
According to the ancient Julian calendar, which is still used in Ethiopia and by Ethiopians in other countries, this year marks the Ethiopian Millennium. This calendar retains the old Egyptian system in which the year is divided into 12 months of 30 days each plus an additional month of five days (six in leap years). Ethiopian dates fall seven or eight years behind Western dates and have done so since early Christian times.
“Our Government is committed to reaching out to all Canadians and is currently developing lasting relationships with ethnic and religious communities in Canada,” said Secretary of State Kenney.
The Government of Canada works to facilitate the full participation of these communities in Canadian society by enhancing their level of economic, social, and cultural integration.
Information:
Alykhan Velshi, Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Jason Kenney, PC, MP
Secretary of State
(Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity)
[email protected]