The Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA) is hosting a town hall meeting with Greg Fergus, Canada’s first Black Speaker of the House of Commons, on Saturday.
Community members will have the chance to hear from and engage directly with Fergus, who brings a long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion in Canadian public life, NACCA chairperson Jerish Grant-Hall said.
The town hall takes place Nov. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the municipal offices at 395 Mulock Dr., Newmarket.
Fergus, elected to his role by his fellow members of Parliament, is committed to fostering respect and decorum in the House of Commons, a NACCA news release stated.
"His election as speaker marks a milestone for representation and inclusion in Canadian politics, reflecting the growing importance of diverse perspectives in leadership roles. Throughout his career, Speaker Fergus has been a champion for policies aimed at promoting equity and inclusion, and this town hall offers an open forum for discussing how these values can further strengthen communities like Newmarket," NACCA said.
“We are delighted to welcome Speaker Fergus to Newmarket,” Grant-Hall said. “This town hall provides an opportunity for our community to engage in meaningful dialogue with a leader whose work reflects our shared commitment to equity and progress. We look forward to exploring how we can work together to address challenges and celebrate successes.”
NACCA is grateful to local representatives who helped make the event possible, she added.
The town hall is open to all residents and will include time for questions, discussion and community input on issues that matter most to Newmarket. Youth are encouraged to attend, with some NACCA volunteers and past scholarship recipients participating as event assistants, offering them the opportunity to connect with a key figure in Canadian public service.
Guests are asked to register here.
