Armenian National Committee of Canada
130 Albert St., Suite 1007
Ottawa, ON
KIP 5G4
Tel. (613) 235-2622 Fax (613) 238-2622
E-mail:national.office@anc-canada.com
www .anccanada.org

For Immediate Release

February 14, 2007

Contact: Kevork Manguelian
Tel. (613) 235-2622

ANCC Participates in a Symposium on National Security Issues

Ottawa–The Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) participated in a
round-table discussion on February 11 in a long-term dialogue on Canadian
national security issues in a diverse and pluralistic society.

The symposium, which was the last of four such meetings, was initiated by
the federal department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada.
Aris Babikian, the executive director of ANCC, represented the
Canadian-Armenian community at the discussions held in Toronto.

After presentations by officials from the Department of Justice, Canadian
Heritage, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Canadian Security
Intelligence Agency (CSIS), and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA),
the meeting opened to questions and discussions between the various
department representatives and the approximately 50 ethno-cultural community
leaders.
The opinions expressed were frank and sometimes critical. The participants
did not shy away from expressing their views on national security matters.

The ANCC executive director said that considered such a dialogue between the
government and Canadian civil society representatives an important first
step to comprehend the function and the role of each government agency, to
lift the shroud of secrecy, to facilitate understanding, and most
importantly, to eliminate misconception and misunderstanding.

`We commend the minister for taking the initiative to launch such a forum
for dialogue and outreach, so that we can learn from our mistakes and help
each other make our country a better place to live, where all are welcome
regardless of their race, religion or colour.’

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The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of
the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of issues.

Regional Chapters
Montréal – Laval – Ottawa – Toronto – Hamilton – Cambridge – St. Catharines
– Windsor – Vancouver