Canada hosts Armenian Genocide commemoration event

PanARMENIAN.Net - In commemoration of the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, over six hundred members of the Canadian-Armenian community of Toronto, joined by a number of prominent political and community guests, gathered at the Armenian Community Centre on Sunday, April 21, 2013. The commemorative event was organized by the United Committee of Toronto for the 98th Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.

In attendance were, Armen Yeganian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Canada, Iacovos Giragosian, Consul-General of the Republic of Cyprus, representatives from all three levels of government, as well as former politicians and representatives of several Armenian and Canadian organizations. Chungsen Leung, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Willowdale, conveyed the message of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, to the Armenian community of Toronto. Costas Menegakis, Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill, relayed the message of Canada’s Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney.

During the event, Brad Duguid, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Labour, and MPP for Scarborough Centre to relayed the message from the Premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne, while Frank Klees, Member of Provincial Parliament for Newmarket—Aurora, delivered the message of Tim Hudak, the leader of the official opposition. Jim Karygiannis, MP for Scarborough-Agincourt, also delivered his personal message to the community.

Ambassador Yaganian delivered a keynote speech at the event. During his address, Yeganian made it clear that the denial of the Armenian Genocide is unacceptable in Canada and that Turkey has no right to intimidate the government of Canada to reverse its recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Afterwards the guests laid flowers at “Revival” monument, dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.