Thousands of Armenian-Canadians Expected to Attend Commemorations Across Canada to Mark the 98th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

Montreal — The Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) today announced the complete list of remembrance events that will be taking place over the next six days across Canada to commemorate the 98th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks at the beginning of the last century. Commemoration events organized by the ANCC, its local chapters, and affiliated organizations will be taking place in Montreal and Laval, Ottawa, Toronto, Cambridge, Hamilton, Saint Catherines, and Vancouver. A complete list of events is available at the end of this press release.

To this day, the Republic of Turkey (the legal successors of the Ottoman Empire) continues to actively deny that the Armenian Genocide ever took place despite overwhelming historical and academic evidence attesting to the Ottoman Empire’s systematic campaign of ethnic-cleansing against Armenians from centuries-old Armenian lands.

“Every April 24th, Armenian-Canadians and Armenians throughout the world remember the horrendous acts of genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks against its indigenous Armenian population,” remarked Dr. Girair Basmadjian, president of the ANCC. “We also commemorate the resilience of the survivors of the genocide, and the collective strength of character of the Armenian people to not become a footnote in History.”

Canada has officially recognized the Armenian Genocide in the House of Commons (2004), the Senate of Canada (2002), and by the government of Canada (since 2006). The provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia as well as the City of Montreal and the City of Toronto have passed legislation or resolutions recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Recently, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights has unequivocally stated that the Armenian Genocide will have a permanent exhibit in the museum.

“It is unfortunate that the government of Turkey continues to actively embark upon campaigns of misinformation, political blackmail, and denial,” stated Dr. Basmadjian, “Such denials and misinformation campaigns make Turkey look small and immature as a nation. Especially in Canada, where informed politicians and academics follow facts and truth. Canadians know better.”

To view a quick video entitled “Why We Remember”, please click on the following link:

www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=500115166704722

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Here is a complete list of Canadian events commemorating the 98th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide organized by the ANCC, its local chapters, or affiliated organizations arranged by date:

City

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Date and Time

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Event Details

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Montreal and Laval

Friday, April 19

7:00pm to 10:00pm

Candlelight Vigil in Commemoration of the 98th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide Organized by the Armenian Youth Federation of Canada
Armenian Community Centre of Montreal
3401 Rue Olivar-Asselin, Montréal, QC H4J 1L5

Cambridge, ON

Friday, April 19 7:30pm

“The River Ran Red” – A Documentary Film by award-winning filmmaker J. Michael Hagopian.
Organized by the Armenian National Committee of Southwestern Ontario Armenian Community Centre of Cambridge

15 International Village Drive, Cambridge, Ontario N1R 7M5

Hamilton, ON

Sunday, April 21 2:00pm

98th Anniversary Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Organized by the Armenian National Committee of Hamilton/ARF Armenian Community Centre of Hamilton
191 Barton St., Stoney Creek, ON L8E 2K3

Cambridge, ON

Sunday, April 21 2:30pm

98th Anniversary Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide
Organized by the Armenian National Committee of Southwestern Ontario Armenian Community Centre of Cambridge
15 International Village Drive, Cambridge, Ontario N1R 7M5

Toronto

Sunday, April 21 3:00pm

98th Anniversary Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide
Keynote speaker: H.E. Armen Yeganian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Canada
Organized by the Armenian National Committee of Toronto in conjunction with the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party and the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party
Armenian Community Centre of Toronto
45 Hallcrown Place, Toronto, Ontario M2J 4Y4

Saint Catharines, ON

Sunday, April 21 4:00pm

98th Anniversary Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide
Organized by the Armenian National Committee of Saint Catharines/ARF in conjunction with St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church and St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church
Armenian Community Centre of Saint Catharines
156 Martindale Rd, St Catharines, ON L2S 2X9

Vancouver, BC

Sunday, April 21 3:30pm PST

98th Anniversary Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide
Organized by the British Columbia United Armenian Commemorative Committee Celebration Hall
Mountain View Cemetery, 41st and Fraser

Montreal and Laval

Sunday, April 21 7:00pm

98th Anniversary Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide
Keynote speaker: M. François Bugingo, Internationally acclaimed journalist and documentarian
Organized by the Armenian National Committee of Quebec
Armenian Community Centre of Montreal
3401 Rue Olivar-Asselin, Montréal, QC H4J 1L5

Ottawa

Wednesday, April 24

12:00pm Noon

98th Anniversary Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide on Parliament Hill
Speakers include current and former politicians
March and demonstration to the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey immediately following the commemoration on Parliament Hill
Organized by the Armenian National Committee of Canada
Parliament Hill, Ottawa

For further information:
Mr. R. Robert Kouyoumdjian
Tel.: (514) 265-4602
Email: [email protected]

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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.
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Le CNAC est l’organisation canado-arménienne des droits humains la plus large et influentielle. Collaborant avec une série de bureaux, chapitres et souteneurs à travers le Canada et des organisations affiliées à travers le monde, le CNAC s’occupe activement des inquiétudes de la communauté canadienne-arménienne.