Brampton’s Pearson Convention Center shimmered with lights and celebration on Friday, October 17, 2025, as Prime Minister Mark Carney joined hundreds of guests for the 24th Annual Trillium Diwali Gala, a signature fundraiser supporting the Trillium Health Partners Foundation.
The event blended the warmth of Diwali with a spirit of philanthropy, raising funds for major health-care projects in Mississauga and the West GTA. Since its inception, the gala has raised more than $12 million for frontline health services. Last year’s record-breaking total of $1.15 million helped advance redevelopment efforts for the Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital — set to become Canada’s largest hospital — and the future Shah Family Hospital for Women and Children, Ontario’s first facility dedicated entirely to women, newborns, and youth care.
In his address, Carney praised the community’s generosity and linked Diwali’s spirit of renewal to his broader national vision of prosperity, safety, and unity. He emphasized three key priorities for the year ahead: strengthening the economy, supporting affordability, and protecting Canadians.
First, the Prime Minister highlighted efforts to build a stronger economy at home through housing expansion, new trade and energy corridors, and “nation-building projects” designed to enhance Canada’s resilience against global disruptions.
Second, Carney underscored affordability and compassion, noting measures such as tax relief on income, capital gains, and first-time home purchases, and targeted support for families, vulnerable workers, and industries affected by trade tensions. He made a special mention of auto workers in Brampton, reaffirming federal backing during the ongoing industrial transition.
The third theme — public safety — drew strong applause. Carney reaffirmed his government’s plan to hire 1,000 new border officers and 1,000 additional RCMP officers to combat organized crime, terrorism, and foreign interference. He also cited the government’s recent decision to list the Bishnoi network as a terrorist organization, part of a broader push to curb extortion, home invasions, and violent auto thefts. Tougher bail laws and proposed reverse onus provisions for repeat violent offenders, he said, will help ensure that “our justice system protects Canadians first.”
Beyond the policy focus, the evening offered a dazzling cultural program. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, dinner, and a spirited performance by SAMPRADAYA Dance Creations, the acclaimed Canadian company rooted in South Indian Bharatanatyam. Carney began his remarks with light-hearted humor about Diwali dances and desserts, then turned reflective, quoting Leonard Cohen — “There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in” — to describe Canada’s resilience amid global challenges.
Every ticket, table, and corporate sponsorship supported local hospitals and frontline health workers, embodying Diwali’s timeless message of light over darkness and hope over hardship.
As the night concluded, the mood was one of celebration and shared purpose. The Trillium Diwali Gala not only honored cultural tradition but also advanced a collective vision — one where compassion, safety, and progress shine brightly for all Canadians.