Over the last few weeks, South Asians across Ontario, most prominently from the Sikh, Hindu and Jain communities, celebrated Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas. Many witnessed the five-day festive season, which was full of home-cooked meals, sweets, gifts distributed to friends and family, the illumination of lights, firecrackers and diyas.

Diwali symbolizes light over spiritual darkness, knowledge over ignorance and the victory of good over evil. And Bandi Chhor Divas is a celebration of the occasion on which Shri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji gained freedom from the unjust imprisonment and refused to accept his release until all 52 fellow political prisoners were released with him at the same time. We admire Guru Sahib Ji on his firm stance to protect freedoms and rights of others at his own cost, and determination to fight tyranny and injustice.

I hope that everyone enjoyed this year’s Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas celebrations and, once again, wishing all Ontarians a very happy and joyous Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas.

And, Speaker, today is October 31, Halloween, and I also want to wish all trick-or-treaters across Ontario a very spook-tacular Halloween.