Canadian PM Stephen Harper visits Swaminarayan temple in Toronto

TORONTO: As the federal elections in Canada approach, political activities also hot up in Canada. Canadian PM Stephen Harper and wife Laureen recently visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Toronto on August 17 with many conservative candidates from greater Toronto joining in to commemorate India’s 69th Independence Day.
Those visiting the temple included the only Gujarati candidate from Brampton East, Naval Bajaj.The move also served to attract the Gujarati-Canadian diaspora in the region. This was Harper's third visit to temple after assuming office as the Canadian prime minister.
In his speech, Harper said: “Today, we mark the 69th anniversary of India’s independence and celebrate the close relationship that Canada and India share.
“I was very pleased to have hosted my friend Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, on his first visit to Canada earlier this spring. During his visit, he and I committed to further expanding our bilateral relationship, which is based on our shared values of freedom, democracy, pluralism, and the rule of law.

“I am proud to say that our Conservative government has done more to renew and expand our relationship with India than any other government in recent history. I myself have visited India twice as Prime Minister. We are committed to working with India as an important strategic partner by expanding our economic and people-to-people ties.
“Canada benefits immensely from our strong, family focused and entrepreneurial Indo-Canadian community that numbers over 1.2 million people. Our Conservative party is especially proud to have 16 candidates of Indian origin nominated to run for election this Fall.
“I wish everyone in Canada and around the world celebrating the 69th anniversary of India’s independence.” Harper ended his speech with the slogan ‘Hindustan Zindabad’.