The voice of young MP T. Auguste resonates in Ottawa
Roger Romulus ·
"I am, because we are" is the new slogan of the Terrebonne MP to launch Black History Month
"I am, because we are" is the new slogan of the Terrebonne MP to launch Black History Month
On February 4, the Black Parliamentary Caucus, in collaboration with Heritage Canada, kicked off the 30th edition of Black History Month.
A day of reflection, followed by a gala bringing together Afro-descendant delegations from across the country, highlighted the builders, visionaries and contemporary issues of representation within Canadian institutions.
Dialogue and mobilization
The Black Parliamentary Caucus, accompanied by the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, opened the day with a series of roundtables dedicated to culture, youth and the issues that shape the future of Afro-descendant communities.
These exchanges provided a clear picture of current challenges, while highlighting the progress made over the decades.
In the evening, a gala brought together delegations from Nova Scotia, Montreal, Quebec and several ridings in the greater metropolitan area. Saint-Léonard–Saint-Michel, Papineau, Mercier, Longueuil, Laval and Terrebonne were among the most represented sectors, reflecting sustained mobilization.
30 years for Ottawa
The theme of this edition — "Black History Month is 30 years old: honoring the excellence of Black people across generations, from the country's builders to visionaries" — served as the guiding thread to celebrate the pioneers of the struggle for dignity and equality.
The audience saluted the work of the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black woman elected to the House of Commons and the first Black woman appointed to the federal Cabinet.
The gala also highlighted Dr. Yvette Bonny, pioneer of pediatric bone marrow transplantation in Quebec, as well as Dr. Alexandra Bastiany, cardiologist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Centre, representing the new generation of visionaries.
A call for unity and transmission
The highlight of the evening was the speech by Tatiana Auguste, MP for Terrebonne and co-chair of the Black Caucus. A rising young figure in Black communities, she recalled the essential contribution of Black people to the construction of the country, reaffirming a founding principle:
"I am, because we are."-Tatiana Auguste
In introducing the Honourable Mark Carney, she emphasized that Canada grows stronger when Black communities pave the way for future generations.
The Prime Minister of Canada, for his part, emphasized the importance of faithful representation of the population within institutions. He declared that the country is at its best when its representatives reflect the population, not as a symbol, but as a real force — an essential element of Canadian democracy.
Representation and future: an issue that remains current
The evening concluded with a moment of pride and networking, bringing together members of Black communities around issues such as representation, inclusion and citizen participation.
In Quebec, five Black MPs currently sit in the House of Commons — the Honourable Greg Fergus, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Bienvenu Olivier Ntumba, Natilien Joseph and Tatiana Auguste.
This represents notable progress, even though several of them do not represent ridings where a long-term mandate is assured, which poses a challenge for the sustainable defense of the interests of the communities they represent.
The spirit of this 30th edition remains clear, carried by the voice of the young MP for Terrebonne, who won a riding long considered impregnable: "If I am, it's because we are."