I rise today with a heavy heart and heart-wrenching memories of innocent Tamils who perished during the last stages of the brutal war in Mullivaikkal in Vanni region in May 2009. This is an emotional moment for me and over 350,000 Tamil Ontarians. Today marks the 14th year of Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day. Heinous crimes committed by the chauvinist regime against the Tamil nation and hundreds of thousands of innocent lives taken away, including children and women, remain unpunished today. There is no truth. There is no reconciliation.

I am proud of our Premier and our government for passing Bill 104. Tamils can begin healing and can encourage Ontarians to learn about Tamil genocide.

We acknowledge the gravity of these crimes against humanity, honour the lives lost, and commit ourselves to raising awareness and passing the history to the next generation.

Today, I pay my deepest respects to those who have lost their lives. We understand the trauma and share the pain and suffering of those who have lost their loved ones.