By Siva Sivapragasam
The Canadian Federal government and the Ontario Provincial Government have announced thata sum of $26.2 million dollars will be investedin funding towards the construction of a Tamil Community Centre (TCC) in Toronto.
After getting approval from the federal government’s Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), the Canadian government and the Ontario Provincial Government have agreed to pay $26.2 million needed to launch the community centre. A sum of $9.6 million is to be raised from the community.
Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland with Ontario Premier Doug Ford
The share of this investment will be approximately $14.3 million from the federal government, $11.9 million from the state government and $ 9.6 million is expected to be raised from the community. The Toronto Bailiff has already leased $25 million worth of land on a long-term lease on the basis to aid community projects, such as the TCC, at a modest rate of $1 per year for rent, taxed accordingly.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford
The proposed Community Centre will include an auditorium for cultural performances/forums/seminars, an indoor gymnasium, mental health services, history and archival space/museum, a library, language services, meeting rooms, recreational/educational space, women’s services and disability programming. The new Tamil Community Centre will create jobs, give the community access to recreational and cultural spaces, connect the community to quality programs and services, and provide access to educational opportunities for everyone in the community.
Quotes on the Tamil Community Centre
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland –“The new Tamil Community Centre will create jobs, give the community access to recreational and cultural spaces, connect the community to quality programs and services, and provide access to educational opportunities for everyone in the community.”
Bill Blair
Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, acknowledged “the contribution the Tamil Canadians make to the incredible fabric of this diverse country.”
MP Gary Anandasangaree
Gary Anandasangaree, MP for Scarborough Rouge-Park. –“My sincere hope is that the Tamil Community Centre will bring together all of these elements to support the language, nurture the culture, support the needs of the community and provide a safe and inclusive space to remember and reflect”, stated
Toronto Mayor John Tory
Mayor John Tory- ”It is a way the city could contribute…we all wanted to be a part of this.”
MPP Vijay Th anigasalam
MPP Vijay Thanigasalam – “The development of a Tamil Community Centre will provide services and jobs for the residents who call Scarborough home. I am proud to be part of a government that is funding the first ever Tamil Community Centre in Canada. This reaffirms our government’s commitment to building Scarborough.”
Siva Vimalachandran
Siva Vimalachandran, Chairperson of the Tamil Community Centre project – “The Tamil Community Centre will improve the quality of life for all Scarborough residents through providing much needed recreational space and programming in priority areas like mental health services, senior services, and LGBTQ inclusion.All villages are our village”.
