Statement by Liberal Leader Bob Rae on Armenian Independence Day

POSTED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2011

OTTAWA – Liberal Leader Bob Rae made the following statement today on Armenian Independence Day:

“It is with great pleasure that I extend greetings to all Armenian Canadians on the occasion of Armenian Independence Day.  On September 21, 1991, Armenia achieved full independence and since that time, Armenians have worked tirelessly at overcoming the challenges of a nascent democracy.

Since very early in our Confederation, Armenians have played a vital role to the building of Canada, with the first wave of Armenian migration arriving in the late 1880s.  Today, the estimated 80,000 Armenian Canadians are helping to strengthen Canada’s ties with their ancestral homeland.  Today, you are sharing your culture and heritage with your fellow Canadians. The prosperity we enjoy as a nation derives in part from the diversity of our communities, and the Armenian Canadians celebration of this day is a testament to Canada’s rich cultural fabric.

On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada, and our Parliamentary Caucus, I extend our warmest wishes to the Canadian Armenian Community as you celebrate this important occasion.”