PRESS RELEASE
Armenian National Committee of Toronto
45 Hallcrown Place
Toronto, ON M2J 4Y4
Phone: (416) 491-2900
Email: anct@anctoronto.org**
April 29, 2010
Contact: Ani Garabedian
*Robert Fisk and Ken Hachikian Join the Canadian Armenian Community for the
95th Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide*
*Toronto, ON* – In commemoration of the 95th Anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, over one thousand members of the Canadian-Armenian community of
Toronto, joined by a number of prominent political and community guests
gathered at the Armenian Youth Centre on Sunday, April 25th.
Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism The Hon. Jason
Kenney conveyed the message of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Michael
Ignatieff, Leader of the Official Opposition delivered his message to the
community. Jack Layton, Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada was
unable to attend but sent a message.
The evening’s keynote speaker was Middle Eastern Correspondent for The
Independent Robert Fisk, who discussed Turkey’s denial campaign and stressed
the importance of worldwide recognition of the Armenian Holocaust, as it is
referred to in The Independent. Fisk holds more British and International
journalism awards than any other foreign correspondent. In 2001, he was
awarded the David Watt Prize for `outstanding contributions towards the
clariï¬=81cation of political issues and the promotion of their greater
understanding’ for his investigation into the Armenian Genocide. To watch
Robert Fisk’s televised interview on CTV on April 24th please visit
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Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Chairman Ken Hachikian was
also a guest speaker at the event and discussed the current state of House
Resolution 252, the status of the Protocols as well as President Obama’s
statement regarding the Armenian Genocide and Turkey’s continuous denial of
this crime against humanity.
`For let there be no mistake, denial of the Armenian Genocide is the denial
of security to the Armenian nation. Armenia cannot, today, be safe while the
Turkish Republic remains on her border as an unrepentant, antagonistic, and
over-armed denier state.’ stated Hachikian.
Jivan Gasparyan Jr., famed Duduk player and grandson of the legendary
musician Jivan Gasparyan, performed a set of songs dedicated to the one and
a half million Armenians who were annihilated in 1915.
Additional dignitaries in attendance included David Caplan, Member of
Provincial Parliament for Don Valley East delivered a message from Ontario
Premier Dalton McGuinty. Frank Klees, Member of Provincial Parliament for
Newmarket-Aurora brought greetings from Progressive Conservative Party of
Ontario leader Tim Hudak. Michael Prue, Member of Provincial Parliament
for Beaches East York delivered the message of the Ontario New Democratic
Party and its leader Andrea Horwath. Toronto Councilor Shelley Carroll,
Ward 33 delivered Toronto Mayor David Miller’s message. Jack Heath, Deputy
Mayor of Markham brought a message from Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti.
Toronto District School Board Chairman Bruce Davis delivered a message on
the importance of genocide education.
Also, in attendance were members of various levels of government including:
Senator Consiglio Di Nino (Ontario); Jim Karygiannis, MP (Scarborough
Agincourt); John McKay, MP (Scarborough-Guildwood); John Cannis, MP
(Scarborough Centre); Derek Lee, MP (Scarborough Rouge River); Rob Oliphant,
MP (Don Valley West); Borys Wrzesnewskyj, MP (Etobicoke Centre); Paul
Calandra, MP (Oak Ridges-Markham); Lois Brown, MP (Newmarket-Aurora);
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Eric Hoskins, MPP; Chair of Cabinet
and Minister Responsible for Seniors Gerry Phillips, MPP; Helena Jaczek, MPP
(Oak Ridges-Markham); Toronto City Councillors Adam Giambrone (Ward 18),
Chin Lee (Ward 41), Mike Del Grande (Ward 39) and Norm Kelly (Ward 40); York
Regional Councillor Gordon Landon (Town of Markham); Markham Councillor
Logan Kanapathi (Ward 7); Toronto District School Board Trustees Soo Wong
(Ward 20) and Michael Couteau (Ward 17).
Additionally, Toronto Mayoral candidates George Smitherman, Rocco Rossi and
Sarah Thomson attended.
The event was organized by the United Committee of Toronto for the
95thCommemoration of the Armenian Genocide, consisting of A.R.F
Soghoman
Tehlirian Gomideh, S.D. Hnchagian Party Paramaz Chapter and A.D.L.
(Ramgavar) Yesayi Yaghoubian Chapter.
The Armenian National Committee of Toronto is a chapter of the Armenian
National Committee of Canada, a grassroots organization that was founded in
1965 to address the concerns of the Canadian Armenian community on a broad
range of issues.
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Photo caption #1: Prominent political and community guests at Commemoration
event.
Photo caption #2: Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism
The Hon. Jason Kenney conveys the message of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Photo caption #3: Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Official Opposition
delivers his message to the community.
Photo caption #4: Keynote speaker Robert Fisk addresses the audience.
Photo caption #5: Guest speaker, ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian addresses the
audience.