Armenian National Committee of Canada
Comité National Arménien du Canada
130 Albert St., Suite/Bureau 1007
Ottawa, ON
KIP 5G4
Tel./Tél. (613) 235-2622 Fax/Téléc. (613) 238-2622
E-mail/courriel:national.office@anc-canad a.com
PRESS RELEASE
Oct 3, 2008
Contact: Roupen Kouyoumjian
ANCC Participates in a Roundtable Dialogue with the Prime Minister
Toronto–The Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Hon. Stephen Harper,
joined 16 multicultural community leaders in a roundtable meeting on
September 18 to discuss issues of concern to these groups. Among the
participants were representatives of the Ahmadi, Armenian, Chinese,
Jewish, Korean, Polish, Somali, Ukrainian and Vietnamese
communities. Aris Babikian, executive director of the Armenian
National Committee of Canada (ANCC), represented the Canadian-Armenian
community.
In addition to the Prime Minister, Jason Kenney, Minister of
Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity, and Conservative candidates
Richard Lorello, Melissa Bhagat, and Chungsen Leung attended the
90-minute meeting. Hon. Kenney welcomed the attendees and explained
the purpose of the meeting. Following his remarks, the Prime Minister
delivered a short speech. The prime minister talked about
multiculturalism, foreign accreditations, family values, economic
policy and other current issues.
Following his speech, the prime minister conducted a
question-and-answer session with the community leaders. After talking
about issues of concern to the Canadian-Armenian community,
Mr. Babikian commended the prime minister for his moral leadership on
human rights issues, on the opening of a Canadian embassy in Armenia,
and Canadian International Development Agency’s (CIDA) participation
in Armenia’s Rural Poverty Eradication program. Mr. Babikian said that
ANCC supported the government decision not to participate in the
Durban II Conference.
The prime minister said that he appreciated the comments and the
active participation of the attendees in the roundtable and in the
Canadian political and civil society life.
After the meeting, Mr. Babikian commended the PM and Hon. Kenney for
`initiating a constructive, frank and open dialogue between the
executive branch of the government and an important segment of our
civil society such as the multicultural community.’ The ANCC
representative said, `By holding such meetings we will help eliminate
many misconceptions, unjust accusations, and build a more tolerant
society.’
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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.
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Le CNAC est l’organisation politique canadienne-arménienne la plus
large et influentielle. Collaborant avec une série de bureaux,
chapitres et souteneurs à travers le Canada et des organisations
affiliées à travers le monde, le CNAC s’occupe activement des
inquiétudes de la communauté canadienne-arménienne.
Regional Chapters/Sections régionales
Montréal – Laval – Ottawa – Toronto – Hamilton – Cambridge –
St. Catharines – Windsor – Vancouver