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
April 20, 2009
Contact: Roupen Kouyoumjian
The Canadian-Armenian Community Commemorating
the death of 1.5 million Armenians
Ottawa – The Canadian-Armenian community and Armenians around the world
are commemorating the death of 1.5 million Armenians exterminated during
the first genocide of the 20th century by Ottoman Turkey.
The various 94th Armenian Genocide commemoration events, which started
on April 19, will culminate on Parliament Hill on April 24.
This significant memorial ceremony will recall this horrendous crime
against humanity and to thank the Canadian people for their support.
Various members of the House of Commons will accompany the survivors to
place flowers around the Eternal Flame.
The solidarity and support of Canadians to commemorate the 94th
anniversary is not only for the victims of the Armenian Genocide, but to
all victim nations of genocide, Holocaust, war crimes and human rights
abuses across the world. We, as Canadians, should send a clear message
to the international community and to our follow human begins that such
crimes will not be tolerated, forgotten, denied, and repeated. We owe it
to the millions of martyrs who paid the ultimate price for intolerance,
xenophobia, and hatred.
The sombre commemoration will begin at 12:30 p.m. on April 24, in front
of Parliament Hill, and come to an end at 1:30 p.m.
This year, the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide has particularly
significant meaning because it coincides with the 5th anniversary of the
adoption of Motion 380 by the House of Commons, recognizing the historic
reality of the Armenian Genocide.
The courageous and moral decision of Canadian Parliamentarians not only
helped preserve the memory of a tragic historical event, but also helped
us uphold the truth and pay respect to the innocent victims.
The House of Commons’ recognition is a landmark acknowledgment and an
important chapter in our nation’s history, which pays tribute to
hundreds of Canadians whose generosity and activism during the Armenian
Genocide helped save thousands of Armenians from certain death. In fact,
Canada was one of the leading countries to launch a relief effort to
help Armenian refugees and orphans.
It is this attribute of compassionate and humanitarian vision that has
helped establish Canada’s reputation as a caring, tolerant, civilized
and welcoming country. As such, in addition to the House of Commons and
Senate recognition, the Right Hon. Stephen Harper’s statement that "we
have made it very clear that our recognition of the Armenian genocide
represents the official position of the government of Canada" were in
line with our forefathers’ reputation and tradition of championing truth
and justice.
To celebrate this momentous event, the ANCC is organizing a reception to
pay tribute to our federal legislative and executive members. Religious
leaders, representatives of other community organizations, political
representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of
other genocide victim nations will attend the reception.
The reception starts at 6:00 p.m. on April 28 at Room 200 of the West
Block.
Please see below list of the Armenian Genocide commemoration events in
various cities
Ottawa
What: Commemoration in front of the House of Commons
When: Friday, April 24th, 2009 – 12:30 pm
Where: Centre Block, Parliament Hill
Keynote Speaker:
Contact: Mr. Aris Babikian
Tel: 613-235-2622
Who: House of Commons’ 5th anniversary recognition
When: Tuesday April 28th, 2009 – 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Room 200, West Block, House of Commons
Contact: Aris Babikian
Tel: 613-235-2622
Toronto
What: Inter-communal Requiem
When: Thursday April 24th, 2009 – 9:00 PM
Where: Holy Trinity Church, 920 Progress Avenue, Scarborough, ON
Keynote speaker:
Contact: Mr. Hagop Janbazian
Tel: 416 – 885-1430
What: Toronto Armenian Youth Candle light vigil
When: Thursday, April 27th, 2009 – 7:00 pm
Where: Queens Park, Toronto, Ontario
Contact: Araz Hasserjian
Tel: 416. 697-7272
What: Toronto Armenian Community Commemoration
When: Sunday, April 26th, 2009 – 2:00 pm
Where: Armenian Community Centre, 45 Hallcrown Place
Key Note Speaker: Non
Contact: Liz Balian
Tel: (416) 587 3319
Montreal
What: Walk for Remembrance Montreal and Laval
When: Thursday, April 23th, 2009 – 7:30 pm
Where: Armenian Community Centre, 3401 Olivar-Asselin
To: The Genocide Museum on Henri Bourassa
Contact: Roupen Kouyoumjian / Hrayr Kargozian
Tel: (514) 334-1299
What: Montreal and Laval Communities Commemoration
When: Sunday, April 26th, 2009 – 7:00 pm
Where: Armenian Community Centre, 3401 Olivar-Asselin
Keynote Speaker:
Contact: Roupen Kouyoumjian / Hrayr Kargozian
Tel: (514) 334-1299
Vancouver
What: Genocide Commemoration
When: Sunday, April 26th 2009 – 3:00 PM
Where: Vancouver Jewish Community Centre, WOSK Auditorium
950 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver, B.C.
Keynote Speaker: Adam Jones, Associate Professor, UBC Okanagan and
author of "Genocide: A Comprehensive Introduction"
Special Guest: Michele Wegner, son of Armin T. Wegner
Contact: Jack Der Hagopian -Tel: (604)
617-6866-jderagopian@fransenengineering.com
Vahe Andonian – Tel: (604) 240 5490
vandonian@gmail.com
Arthur Tachdjian – arthurtachdjian@yahoo.ca
Hamilton
What: Genocide Commemoration
When: Sunday April 26th 2009 – 2:30 PM
Where: ACC Hamilton, 191 Barton St, Stoney Creek, ON
Keynote Speaker:
Contact: Mr. Hagop Apkarian
Tel: 905-304-4908
Cambridge
What: Genocide Commemoration
When: Sunday April 26th 2009 – 4:00 PM
Where: ACC Cambridge, 15 International Village Drive, Cambridge, ON
Keynote Speaker:
Contact: Kevork Garabedian
Tel. (519) 897-5900
St. Catharines
What: Genocide Commemoration
When: Sunday April 19th 2009 – 4:00 PM
Where: ACC St. Catharines, 156 Martindale Road, St. Catharines, ON
Keynote Speaker:
Contact:
Tel.
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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/Sections régionales
Montréal – Laval – Ottawa – Toronto – Hamilton – Cambridge – St.
Catharines – Windsor – Vancouver