“I invite everyone to visit High Park this weekend to see the cherry blossoms bloom. Japan gave these trees to Toronto years ago to thank Canada for welcoming refugees.”

“Mr. Speaker, 67 years and one month ago, Toru-Hagiwara, the Japanese ambassador to Canada, presented 2,000 Somei Yoshino sakura to the citizens of Toronto for their support of Japanese Canadian refugees after the Second World War. Tomorrow, we will reap the fruits of that gift and other gifts, which are a living testament to the friendship between our two nations and a reminder of one of the many hidden benefits of being a Canada that welcomes refugees. High Park, the beating heart of our riding, will wake up. The flora and fauna will shake off winter, and High Park little league baseball will hold its opening day at Ernie Keith Field. The sakura cherry blossoms will be in full bloom, thanks to the hard-working public workers who help keep High Park safe and moving, as well as organizations, such as the High Park Nature Centre and the Bloor by the Park Business Improvement Area, that get our community excited about the sakura. I ask people to join us in High Park this weekend and to bring their families, their friends and their cameras. They will join thousands of people in the renewal that spring brings and bask in the beauty of the sakura cherry blossoms.”