Armenian-Canadian Conservative Association launched

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian-Canadian Conservative Association (ACCA) was launched last weekend with attendees including Minister Jason Kenney, Costas Menegakis the federal Parliamentary Secretary, five Members of Parliament, two candidates for the next parliamentary elections, civil society organizations, ethnic community representatives, and various representatives of local Armenian community organizations.

After welcoming the guests and ACCA members, master of the ceremonies and member of the board Diran Tutunjian made a brief introduction of the Association’s purpose and philosophy.

He said: “The Armenian-Canadian Conservative Association is a pan-Armenian association established to work with all Canadians to build a stronger Canada, and to make sure our values and our goals, such as equality, justice, freedom of speech, thought, and religion are reflected in our relationships with one another.”

Hon. Kenney, in turn, talked about the current concerns of Canadians, next year’s federal elections, economic prosperity, the steadfast stand of the government about the challenges Canadians and the civilized world face vis-a-vis religious extremism, the fate of Middle East minorities, and his admiration of the Canadian-Armenian community.

He emphasized that the Canadian-Armenian community and the Conservative Party many priorities such as strong family values, a firm belief in the rule of law, in democracy, free enterprise, free speech, tolerance, and humanism. Thus cooperation between both sides to uphold and promote these cherished values and the traditions is a natural development, said Hon. Kenney. He also praised the Canadian-Armenian community’s strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. He touched upon the long history of the Armenian people and its resilience to survive under harsh conditions.

Hon. Kenney also talked about his recent trip to Armenia, his impressions of the country and its people, and his visit to Khor Virab where the founder of the Armenian Church, St. Gregory the Illuminator, was imprisoned in the 4th century because of his Christian faith. Finally, Minister Kenney talked about his co-sponsorship of the Armenian Genocide recognition resolution in the House of Commons in 2004 and Prime Minister Stephen Harper's principled stand and moral fortitude in making Armenian Genocide recognition Canadian government policy.