Statement by Minister Miller for Dussehra

The Government of Canada issues a statement to mark Dussehra

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 20, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Heritage and Minister responsible for Official Languages, made the following statement:

"Today, we celebrate Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, with Hindu communities across Canada.

Honouring Lord Rama's victory over the demon Ravana, Dussehra celebrates the triumph of good over evil, reminding us of the importance of courage, moral duty and standing up for justice. During this joyful celebration, families and friends get together to sing, decorate their homes with vibrant colours and marvel at fireworks. Marking the end of Navratri, Dussehra is also a celebration of the deities Durga, Saraswati and Lakshmi, which honours the feminine divine.

In Canada, these traditions, which include community gatherings and artistic performances, give us opportunities to tell our stories and express our identity and culture with pride. They also reflect our rich cultural diversity, bringing people from different generations together and strengthening the bonds that unite our communities.

On this festive day, I invite everyone marking Dussehra a celebration filled with light, joy and wonderful moments shared with loves ones. Happy Dussehra!"

SOURCE Canadian Heritage

For more information (media only), please contact: Hermine Landry, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, [email protected]