Premier Kathleen Wynne delivering keynote address at
ICCC's Annual Awards & Gala Night
Thank you, David for that kind introduction.
Good evening, Bonjour, Ahnee, Bojoo.
Namaste Adaab! Sat Sri Akaal, As-salam-maulaikum.
I’d like to acknowledge that we’re on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit.
It is so great to be back here again with all of you tonight.
And I’m thrilled to be joined by my wonderful Caucus colleagues Bas Balkissoon, Dipika Damerla and Amrit Mangat….
As well as Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird.
We have so much to celebrate.
We are here to honour the outstanding achievements of tonight’s award winners.
And I want to give thanks to the volunteers who made this event possible, ensuring that everyone here tonight can share in food and celebration with their friends and neighbours.
We’re also here to thank the ICCC for 36 years of support to the Indo-Canadian community and all the people of Ontario.
So tonight, we honour not only the award recipients but all of you: the members, the Board and supporters of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce.
The success of the Indo-Canadian business community is part of our shared Ontario history and a great source of inspiration for our Liberal government.
You have built businesses from the ground up, put down strong roots, created good jobs and contributed to the social and economic vitality of our province.
You did it for your families and for your communities undefined and you all deserve to be commended for that kind of vision and dedication.
Well done undefined you make us all very proud.
Tonight’s award winners show us that amazing things are being accomplished within our broader Indo-Canadian community.
Indo-Canadians today are succeeding as entrepreneurs, as civic leaders, and at the forefront of healthcare, business, science and politics, among a wealth of other fields.
You are such a big part of what makes Ontario great.
And I look forward to working closely with you to make this province even better.
Ontario’s diversity is one of its biggest assets…
It connects us to so many important parts of the world, to emerging markets and new opportunities.
We’re so fortunate in Ontario to have close ties to our friends and partners in India.
We have more than half-a-million citizens who trace their roots there…
And who maintain strong ties with their family and friends abroad.
I want us to build on those connections to help us explore new economic horizons.
This work has already begun.
In 2011, Ontario had the great honour of hosting the International Indian Film Academy Awards.
It was a magical event for this province, and such a thrill to welcome so many international stars to this region.
The event showcased Indian culture and helped open many doors undefined but we need to do even more.
My predecessor, Dalton McGuinty, led two trade missions to India to help increase our trade relationships….
The most recent of which was focused on clean technologies and green solutions to help India grow sustainably.
These missions were incredibly important and resulted in the signing of $650-million in contracts between Ontario companies and their Indian partners.
Companies like Magna, McCain Foods, Woodbridge Foam, Samco Machinery and Valiant Technologies have all found great success in the Indian market.
That is why we have partnered with the Canada-India Business Council, the ICCC and The Indus Entrepreneurs to help us build on this record and strengthen our commercial ties with India.
We have two more trade missions planned for early next year undefined one focused on the information and communications technology sector and the other highlighting the automotive industry.
As we prepare for these trips and continue to strengthen our relationship with India, I want to hear your ideas and benefit from your insight and experience.
The ICCC has been so instrumental in the past, and I look forward to working with you in the future.
Thank you for the mentorship opportunities you provide, the delegations you host and the countless roundtables and events you organize year-round.
As we work to establish new opportunities with our friends and colleagues overseas, my team and I are also focused on building a truly 21st century economy here at home.
That’s why we’re investing in jobs for our young people, so your kids and grandkids can find great careers….
We’re supporting manufacturers and small businesses, to help our businesses to adapt and grow…
And we’re focused on encouraging research, entrepreneurship and innovation to help new ideas get off the ground.
We need to make Ontario a great place for you to succeed and an attractive environment to global investors.
We need our transportation systems to work efficiently and our education system to prepare our young people with the skills of tomorrow.
I’m excited about our plan, and about what we can do when we all work together.
We’re going to make sure that the Indo-Canadian community undefined and every community in Ontario undefined has a bright future filled with opportunity.
Because that’s what you all deserve.
So thank you once again for inviting me to speak with you this evening undefined it’s been an honour.
Bohot Bohot Shukriya.
And I look forward to helping hand out some of tonight’s awards!
