Lieutenant Governor Hilary M. Weston helped lauch the GGP at the MHSO

Reported by Thia James , Grade 9 student at David and Mary Thomson

The Global Gathering Place Website kickoff began with much success on March 29, 1999. In attendance, and one of the keynote speakers, as well as the honourary patron, was the Honourable Lieutenant Governor Hilary M. Weston.

During her speech to the honoured guests and members of the Multicultural History Society of Ontario, as well as members of the media, she said, "Over the course of the past century and a half, people have come to Canada in search of a better life, and regardless of where they come from, or how they came, by land, via the Underground Railroad; by sea, from China and Japan, Ireland and Italy, or by air from the Caribbean or the Philippines, in this culturally rich and diverse variety of people, who in fact gave Canada a better life".

Her honour, herself brings a rich cultural background to Canada, from Ireland. She left her native Ireland in 1972, with her husband, Galen, and one daughter for Toronto. "I came because my husband is Canadian, and I married him in Ireland. He wanted to come back to Canada, so I came back with him".

Similar to anyone else immigrating to Canada, the transition can be quite difficult, or according to her honour, Mrs. Weston, it was "pretty strange". She felt, like any new Canadian, somewhat alienated since she did not know many people here. "It took me quite a while to integrate, but I've spent twenty-seven years here, and it's a major part of my life spent in Canada, and I feel very much Canadian," she said, referring to her eventual adjustment.

Although Mrs. Weston came to Canada to be with her husband, many Irish people do not and have not come here for the same reasons. During the late fifties to early sixties, there was a wave of Irish immigrants, "I think some came during famine time, there were Irish settlements here and then in the late fifties they came in search of a better life," she replied when asked why would people generally come to Canada from Ireland. She also said that during that time, a lot of very well educated Irish people settled here, made their homes here and have done very well. "I think we have over a million people of Irish descent in the province of Ontario alone," she said.

When people from Ireland decide to make their homes here, there are many support groups to help them settle in, but she mentioned one in particular. "There's the Ireland Fund of Canada, and there are many (groups)," she said. Mrs. Weston is very familiar with this group since she was involved in it for many years. In fact, her husband founded the Ireland Fund of Canada in 1979. "It's a very helpful organization," said Mrs. Weston.

The evening went well, and was highlighted by the arrival of the Lieutenant Governor. Also in attendance was Professor Leslie Chan from the University of Toronto at Scarborough campus, Professor Milton Israel, Mr. Bromley Armstrong, Mrs. Jean Lumb and Dr. Lillian Petroff. As for the website, she believes that the historical and cultural information will benefit generations of Canadians.