MALTON BLACK DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

MPP Anand’s eleventh Members’ Statement was on the topic of “Malton Black Development Association”, delivered on 20 February 2019.

See full transcript below:

“February is Black History Month and it provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the historical contributions made by the Black community. It also generates a much-needed awareness of what the Black community has gone through in the past in order for us to arrive at this point of racial equality.

Since its founding in 1975, the Malton Black Development Association has worked to confront the challenges that children of immigrants experience while adapting to the Canadian education system. Today, the mission is even stronger.

The Malton Black Development Association has created many partnerships with organizations, including Malton Neighbourhood Services, Ontario Trillium Foundation, United Way of Peel, Peel District School Board and Malton Community Building Project. Some of the community projects reach children from all walks of life and have included homework assistance, cultural heritage classes, and arts and literacy summer camps. In the mid-1990s, the MBDA launched a post-secondary scholarship program for students of African Caribbean descent in Malton and it has already awarded over 100 scholarships.

I wish to emphasize the importance of this month because without the awareness of the past, we cannot evaluate the present and neither will we know how to proceed in the future. On February 25, we at Queen’s Park will be celebrating Black History Month. On this day, we will reflect on the tremendous contributions that the Black community has made to Ontario’s economic, social, political and cultural fabric. We take this opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about the rich history.

I would like to thank Malton Black Development Association and their president, Clovalyn Wilson, for their community service. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”