-PRESS RELEASE-
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2017
Contact: Sevag Belian (613) 235-2622
Ottawa – It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that the Armenian National Committee of Canada mourns the loss of Arnold Chan, Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Agincourt and chair of the Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group.
“Words could not have described his strength, courage, perseverance and his love of the people he served. A great individual, a caring public servant, and a good friend of the Armenian people such as Arnold Chan will be missed dearly” said Shahen Mirakian, President of the Armenian National Committee of Canada.
Arnold Chan was first elected federally in a by-election in 2014, then re-elected in 2015. Prior to pursuing politics on a federal level, he worked within various capacities on provincial level.
“Throughout his time in office, Arnold always expressed a desire to visit Armenia but because of his health issues, he never got the opportunity. We hope that through our close relationship, we were able to bring Armenia’s hospitality and beauty to him here in Canada” said Mirakian.
Despite his health issues, he continued to serve his constituents with love and compassion and in April 2016, he assumed the chairmanship of the Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group, for which he dedicated great time and effort. The riding he represented is one of Canada’s most Armenian populated areas.
“He was a principled individual with unwavering values, and that is what drove him to become such an exemplary public servant and an advocate for issues concerning the Armenian-Canadian community” said Mirakian.
“He will always be in the minds and hearts of the Armenian-Canadian community” concluded Mirakian.
The Armenian National Committee of Canada expresses its deepest condolences to Arnold’s widow, Jean Yip and their children, friends, Arnold’s constituency and parliamentary staff, colleagues and beloved constituents and wishes them a speedy recovery. May he rest in peace.
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The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian grassroots human rights organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of issues and works to eliminate abuses of human rights throughout Canada and the world.
