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 28, 2009 Contact: Roupen Kouyoujian

Canadian Politicians Reaffirm Their Commitment to Justice and to
Historic Truth

Ottawa – Two Ministers, four Parliamentary Secretaries, thirty-nine
members of the House of Commons and seven Senators attended the
reception, on April 28, celebrating the 5th anniversary of the House
of Commons’ recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The momentous event,
which took place in the West Block of the House of Commons, was
organized by the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC).

A large number of other Canadian politicians also attended the event
to reaffirm their commitment to justice and to express their
unwavering solidarity with the Armenian people in their struggle to
fend off Armenian Genocide denial. The high stature of the attendees
was particularly heartening since they were there despite the Turkish
Government’s recent recall of the Turkish Ambassador from Canada.

In addition to Parliamentarians, Ambassadors and other members of the
diplomatic corps, NGO representatives, leading lights from Canadian
journalism, academia and education, representatives of the Canadian
Jewish Congress, Rwandan, Greek, Cypriot, and Kurdish community
leaders also attended the celebration.

After the welcoming remarks of master of ceremonies Tina Soulahian,
Dr. Girair Basmadjian, president, ANCC, thanked the Parliamentarians
for their political courage and moral strength in upholding their
principles and voting in support of Armenian Genocide recognition.

Harold Albrecht, Chairman of Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship
Group, emphasized the importance of keeping the memory of the Armenian
Genocide alive so as to prevent future genocides.

Bloc Quebecois leader, Gilles Duceppe observed that because
perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide went unpunished, the
international community witnessed the repetition of this heinous crime
in Germany, in Cambodia, in Rwanda and in Sudan. In the opinion of
Mr. Duceppe reconciliation cannot take place without the recognition.

Arman Akopian, The Charge d’affaires of the Republic of Armenia in
Canada, thanked Canadian Parliamentarians and the Right Hon. Stephen
Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, for their chivalrous recognition of
the Armenian Genocide.

Thomas Muclair, addressed the celebrants on behalf of the New
Democratic Party. He emphasized that whoever dares to deny the
Armenian Genocide in Canada, will have to face the National Democratic
Party.

Hon. Stephane Dion spoke on behalf of the Liberal Party and its leader
Michael Ignatieff. Mr. Dion said that the brutal killing of innocent
Armenians during the genocide will be forever imprinted in the memory
of the Canadian people.

Hon. Gary Goodyear read Mr. Harper’s message to the gathering. He also
said that he was proud to be a member of Prime Minister Harper’s
cabinet which recognized the Armenian Genocide and adopted it as
government policy.

Senator Marcel Prud’Homme recalled his commitment and work in the last
45 years for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in Canada.

Madam Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral, former Member of Parliament and
sponsor of Motion M-380, said she was confident that truth will
prevail and the Armenian people will get the justice which they have
been denied for so long.

Finally, Hon. Jason Kenney, Minister of Immigration and
Multiculturalism, concluded the list of the speakers by stating that
he is proud that he has `followed the dictates of his conscious by
co-sponsoring Motion M-380 to recognize the Armenian Genocide. He
praised the Canadian-Armenian community for its active participation
and contribution to the Canadian mosaic and civil society.

At the conclusion of the reception, Parliamentarians who voted in
favour of the passage of Motion M-380 were presented citations of
appreciation from the ANCC President.

A large contingent of Canadian-Armenians from Montreal, Laval, Ottawa,
Toronto, Hamilton, Cambridge, St. Catharines, and Vancouver joined in
the celebrations.

Aris Babikian, executive director of ANCC, said: `It was quite a proud
evening to see so many Parliamentarians attend this important
evening. For so many politicians to defy Turkish Government threats
and blackmail is very telling. Canadian legislators once again sent an
unequivocal message to the Turkish Government that it will not get
away with its denial campaign and it will be much more beneficial for
the Turkish Government to halt its falsification of history and to
engage the Armenian people in a genuine and sincere reconciliation
process and start healing the wounds perpetrated by its predecessor’s
action.’

*****

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.
——
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