Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Official Opposition, released the following statement on Armenian Independence Day:

“Today marks the thirty-fourth anniversary of the 1991 referendum that set the ancient and storied land of Armenia on the path towards building a vibrant democracy. 

“The horrors of the Armenian Genocide and, more recently, the killing and displacement of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, demonstrate that we should never take the rights of a people for granted. 

“Despite this suffering, Armenians have persisted and succeeded in restoring their communities, preserving their heritage and building for a brighter future. We honour their pursuit of peace and justice, and Armenia’s millennia-old legacy of endurance in the face of hardship.

“Canadians of Armenian heritage have made indelible contributions to our common home. Notable figures such as photographer Yousuf Karsh – whose lens captured our shared history – have contributed to making us a richer country. 

“As we celebrate this legacy, Conservatives extend our best wishes for a happy Armenian Independence Day!”