The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) proudly hosted its 16th Annual Tamil Canadian Walk on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the York University’s Markham Campus.

For the past sixteen years, the Tamil Canadian Walk has raised over one million dollars, transforming countless lives through various community initiatives. This year’s Walk was dedicated to supporting the construction of a new building at York University’s Markham Campus, a cause close to the hearts of many Tamil Canadians who call Markham home. A renowned educational centre in the area will empower students to pursue higher education close to their families, eliminating the need to relocate for studies.

Despite the rain, the community members turned out in impressive numbers. Although we couldn’t proceed with the outdoor walk as planned, attendees gathered indoors with great spirit and solidarity. The program began with the singing of the Canadian National Anthem and Tamil Thai Vazhthu. The CTC Secretary Piragal Thiru delivered the welcome address, highlighting the community’s enthusiasm despite the weather, while CTC President Kumar Ratna spoke passionately about the journey and achievements of the Walkathon over the years.

We were honoured to have several distinguished guests in attendance who shared their words of encouragement and support. Among them were Mayor Frank Scarpitti of the City of Markham, Deputy Provost Dan Palermo from York University Markham Campus, Regional Councillor Joe Li, Regional Councillor Alan Ho, Councillor Amanda Collucci, and Councillor Isa Lee. Additionally, Members of Parliament Shaun Chen and Juanita Nathan conveyed their support through their representatives.

Following the formal proceedings, attendees enjoyed a time of fellowship as snacks were provided, allowing everyone to connect and share in the spirit of community.

The Tamil Canadian Walk remains a community-driven initiative, and once again, the community stood firmly beside us in making this event a success. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who joined us, and to those who supported us from afar. In particular, we wish to express a special note of thanks to our event sponsor, Little Galaxy Childcare and Montessori. Their generous sponsorship not only helped make this year’s Walk possible but also exemplifies the spirit of giving and community leadership that drives our mission forward.

For those who were unable to join us on the day, there’s still an opportunity to be part of this meaningful cause. Your support can make a lasting difference, and we encourage you to consider contributing through the following link:
https://donate.yorku.ca/site/Donation2?df_id=3220…

To discover more about the Tamil Canadian Walk, our past achievements, and our plans for the future, please visit tamilcanadianwalk.ca.

Together, we continue to build stronger communities, empower future generations, and create lasting positive change.