Dutch invasion?

Nu weten wij allang dat er ontzettend veel Hollanders in Canada wonen. Overal kom je ze tegen; de eerste, tweede of derde generatie NL-Canadezen. Onze bakker op de farmers market is er een van, maar ook de ouders van Anita bij wie we afgelopen zomer de Pig Roast hadden komen oorspronkelijk uit ons kikkerlandje. Ook het grote aantal Dutch shops in de omgeving verraad dat er veel mensen zijn die behoefte hebben aan 'echt' Nederlandse lekkernijen, Delfts blauw en sponsjes van de AH.

Maar het kan gekker: Vanaf volgend jaar wordt er misschien wel een Nederlandse maand op de kalender gezet in Ontario. Met 1 miljoen Nederlands-Canadezen in Canada, waarvan 500.000 in Ontario en de gezamenlijke geschiedenis ten tijde van WOII, vond een provinciale Member of Parliament het gerechtvaardigd het volgende voor te stellen:

For Immediate Release

October 28, 2010

Witmer Introduces Dutch Heritage Month Act
Bill Would Proclaim May as “Dutch Heritage Month”

(Queen’s Park, Toronto) – Today, Elizabeth Witmer, MPP for Kitchener-Waterloo, introduced a Private Members’ Bill in the Ontario Legislative Assembly entitled, Dutch Heritage Month Act, 2010. If passed, the Bill will officially proclaim the month of May as Dutch Heritage Month in the Province of Ontario.

Since the early 1800s, the Dutch-Canadian community has made significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of the Province of Ontario. Canada is now home to approximately 1 million Dutch-Canadians, 500,000 of whom currently live in Ontario.

May is a historically significant month for the Dutch-Canadian community. On May 5, 1945, the Canadian Forces were instrumental in liberating the Netherlands from its World War II occupation. The Netherlands celebrates its independence and liberation, along with the heroic efforts of the Canadian Forces, annually on May 5 with a National Holiday known as Liberation Day.

“By proclaiming the month of May as Dutch Heritage Month, the Province of Ontario will be recognizing the important contributions that Dutch-Canadians have made to the economic, political, social and cultural fabric of Ontario’s society,” Witmer said. “I am honored to introduce this Bill.”

For more information contact:

Elizabeth Witmer, MPP
Kitchener-Waterloo
elizabeth.witmerco@pc.ola.org
416 325 1306

Dear all,
This is great news. Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer is the honorary member of the Canada Netherlands Friendship Association in Burlington. Many of you have met her on or near the 5^th of May.
About Mrs. Witmer - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Witmer
Feel free to send a note (email) with words of encouragements to Mrs. Witmer’S office. I am sure she’ll appreciate that very much.
Friendship wishes,
Jack van der Laan
The Canada Netherlands Friendship Association

Website http://www.cnfa.ca

http://www.tourismburlington.com/dutch