Community Leaders Welcome MP Terry Duguid at Calgary Luncheon, Highlighting Canada’s Economy, Energy Future and Pakistan-Canada Relations

Calgary — A distinguished community luncheon was held at a local restaurant in Calgary in honour of Member of Parliament Terry Duguid, Liberal MP for Winnipeg South, bringing together a large gathering of Pakistani-Canadian business leaders, entrepreneurs, physicians, engineers, lawyers, accountants and professionals from diverse fields for an afternoon of dialogue on Canada’s economy, energy future, trade, investment and national unity.

The event reflected the growing engagement between elected representatives and Calgary’s Pakistani-Canadian community, with discussions focusing on economic development, responsible resource management, democratic participation and strengthening bilateral ties between Canada and Pakistan.

The luncheon was organized by Burhan Khan with the support of an organizing team that included Shahnaz Muneer, Shoaib Rasheed, Abid Harb, Nabeel Habib, Abdul Latif and other community volunteers. The organizers were widely praised for bringing together community leaders and professionals for an informative and productive exchange of ideas.

Burhan Khan served as the Master of Ceremonies, welcoming guests and introducing the keynote speaker. His professional moderation guided the event smoothly and encouraged meaningful interaction between the Member of Parliament and members of the Pakistani-Canadian community.

Addressing the audience, MP Terry Duguid thanked the organizers and attendees for their warm hospitality and praised the Pakistani-Canadian community for its significant contribution to Canada’s prosperity and multicultural society.

He said generations of Pakistani immigrants arrived in Canada with determination and a strong work ethic, building successful businesses, entering respected professions and helping strengthen communities across the country. Their achievements, he said, demonstrate the important role immigrants continue to play in Canada’s economic growth and social development.

Duguid also acknowledged the leadership within the Pakistani-Canadian community, saying events of this nature strengthen communication between elected officials and residents while promoting understanding among Canada’s diverse cultural communities.

Reflecting on his own public service, Duguid said representing the people of Winnipeg South remains one of the greatest privileges of his life. After several election campaigns, he earned the confidence of voters and has continued working on issues related to economic development, environmental stewardship and stronger communities.

He noted that Winnipeg South is home to one of Manitoba’s largest and fastest-growing Pakistani communities. The constituency includes the University of Manitoba, major Islamic institutions and community landmarks such as Jinnah Park and Malala Park, symbolizing the lasting contributions of Pakistani Canadians to Canadian society.

Providing additional background, Duguid has represented Winnipeg South in the House of Commons since 2015. Before entering federal politics, he worked in urban planning and environmental consulting and has served in several parliamentary leadership and ministerial roles. Throughout his political career, he has supported sustainable economic development, responsible natural resource management and stronger international partnerships. He is also an active member of the Canada–Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group and has consistently encouraged closer cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking about Canada-Pakistan relations, Duguid said there is significant potential to expand trade, investment and commercial partnerships. He expressed optimism about future parliamentary and business delegations that could strengthen economic cooperation while creating new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs in both countries.

Turning to Canada’s economy, he said the federal government continues working to diversify export markets, strengthen supply chains and reduce dependence on a single trading partner. Expanding Canada’s global trade relationships, he explained, will create new opportunities for Canadian businesses while supporting long-term economic stability.

He added that sustained economic growth remains essential to maintaining Canada’s public services, including healthcare, childcare, dental care, school nutrition programs, infrastructure investments and other services relied upon by Canadian families.

A significant portion of Duguid’s remarks focused on Canada’s energy sector and Alberta’s central role in the national economy.

He described Alberta as the driving force behind Canada’s oil and natural gas industry while emphasizing the province’s growing importance in the development of critical minerals required for advanced manufacturing, battery technology and clean-energy industries. Canada, he said, possesses abundant natural resources that will remain essential to both domestic prosperity and global energy security.

Duguid welcomed continued cooperation between the federal government and the Government of Alberta on energy infrastructure, responsible resource development and major projects that support economic growth while maintaining environmental responsibility. He emphasized that innovation, carbon reduction technologies, hydrogen development, carbon capture and renewable energy investments will all play important roles in Canada’s evolving energy strategy.

He also highlighted the importance of water management, engineering expertise and technological innovation, encouraging greater collaboration between Canadian and Pakistani professionals in these specialized sectors.

In his concluding remarks, Duguid called on Canadians to reject division and strengthen national unity through mutual respect, cooperation and civic engagement. He encouraged members of the Pakistani-Canadian community to participate actively in Canada’s democratic process by voting, engaging in public life and continuing to contribute to the country’s future.

He urged community members to remain proud of both their Pakistani heritage and their Canadian identity, describing Pakistani Canadians as an important bridge between cultures whose contributions continue to enrich every aspect of Canadian society.

Following the keynote address, attendees participated in an interactive question-and-answer session covering business development, trade, investment, taxation, public policy, economic priorities and community concerns. Duguid responded to each question in detail, welcoming constructive discussion and encouraging continued dialogue between government and community organizations.

The luncheon concluded in a warm and positive atmosphere, with participants commending the organizers for creating an opportunity to strengthen communication between elected representatives and the Pakistani-Canadian community. Attendees agreed that such gatherings play an important role in encouraging civic participation, building trust and fostering stronger partnerships that benefit both Alberta and Canada.