For Immediate Release
March 17, 2017
Statement: Mayor Crombie Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day 2017
“On behalf of the City of Mississauga and Members of Council, we join with our City’s local Irish community to mark the joyous occasion of St. Patrick’s Day, the feast of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
“St. Patrick is fondly remembered and celebrated as a spiritual leader who dedicated his life to principled conviction, genuine compassion and fidelity to faith.
“St. Patrick’s Day is also an opportunity for all Mississaugans to reflect on Canada’s proud Irish community. Through hard work and dedication, Irish-Canadians helped build towns and cities across Canada.
“The contributions of Irish-Canadians are all the more celebrated as we mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation and the founding of Canada. Our nation’s history has been enriched by the lasting contributions of immigrant communities. Thomas D’Arcy McGee, of Carlingford, Ireland, is remembered as an iconic nation-builder and Father of Confederation. A statue of Mr. McGee sits on Parliament Hill and stands as a testament to his commitment to Canada.
“Mississauga’s Meadowvale community was settled by Irish immigrants in the 1820s. The Village of Dixie was once home to St. Patrick’s Church, which at the time was the only Roman Catholic Church in Peel County. Dixie became such a tightknit hamlet of Irish families – that it earned the nickname Irishtown.
“The tireless labour of these early Irish families helped build some of Mississauga’s oldest and most cherished neighbourhoods – places families continue to proudly call home – and where a strong St. Patrick’s parish continues to gather and pray.
“Let me once again recognize the year-round work the dedicated team from Heritage Mississauga undertakes to capture stories, images, and artifacts dating back to early Irish history in Ontario and specifically historic Mississauga and Peel County.
“From all of us in Mississauga, I wish everyone a very happy and memorable St. Patrick’s Day.
“Sláinte!”
-30-