THIRTEENTH  ANNUAL CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS.

The 13th annual celebrations were held at the Kally's Banquet Hall in Scarborough.  Canada Day and the Independence Day of the United States of America were celebrated together in Toronto for the second time.  

Mr. Aadeel Haleem, Reporter, OMNI News - South Asian Edition  was the Master of Ceremonies.  Mr. Badar Shamim, CIM CFP, Investment Advisor TD  Waterhouse was the Keynote Speaker.

Mr. Derek Vincent Lee, former Member of Parliament was the Award Recipient.  He was presented with a plaque and Sandulak's polar bear sculpture.   The inscription on the plaque was as follows: " IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR SCARBOROUGH-ROUGE RIVER FOR 23 YEARS AND YOUR PASSION FOR DEFENDING THE PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY".  

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Lee defined the word "progressive" and said that he has known the Association since its inception and that the Association has been moving forward in keeping with the term "progressive".

Rubina Ladhani who worked for Mr. Lee in his Constituency Office for several years and was the Association's Board Member for several years did the citation.   

The Opening Dua was done by Imam Shaykh Faisal Abdur-Razak and the Grace by Retired Chief Armand P. La Barge, O. O. M.                                                                                                           

Two cakes, one with the Canadian flag and the second one with the American flag, were cut to celebrate the two countries' birthdays.  Mr. Charles Coles was present from the United States consulate along with the newly arrived Deputy Consul General.

Many elected representatives from the Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments and from the Regional Police Services attended.

Award and gift presentation to Mr. Derek Lee	Mr. Derek Lee with his daughter and Bal Balissoon, MPP