Min. Kenney issues statement recognizing Armenia’s Independence Day

States News Service
September 21, 2012 Friday

MINISTER KENNEY ISSUES STATEMENT RECOGNIZING ARMENIAS INDEPENDENCE DAY

OTTAWA, Canada

The following information was released by Citizenship and Immigration
Canada (CIC):

The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and
Multiculturalism, issued the following statement recognizing the
celebration of Armenias Independence Day:

I am pleased to join with Armenians in Canada and around the world in
celebrating the 21st anniversary of Armenias declaration of
independence from the Soviet Union. That independence brought an end
to almost seven decades of tyranny under the former communist regime.

Over the past 21 years, Canada has been proud of its close ties with a
free and sovereign Armenia. Those bonds are made stronger by the
active participation of Armenian-Canadian individuals, church groups
and community organizations in a great number of international
initiatives.

Canada was a strong supporter of Armenias candidacy to become an
associate member of lOrganisation internationale de la Francophonie in
2008. Canada and Armenia have also signed a number of bilateral trade
agreements that are to the great benefit of both countries.

The Armenian-Canadian community has a history in this country that
goes back more than a century, and has played an important role in
building our society. Although relatively small in size, this
community has fostered an impressive number of accomplished and
internationally celebrated individuals, including legendary
photographer Yousuf Karsh, filmmaker Atom Egoyan and actress
Arsinée Khanjian.

As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I wish
all Canadians and Armenians celebrating today a very happy
Independence Day.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress