Press Releases

Ottawa – June 10, 2008

Canadian Parliament and Polish Embassy host Anniversary Reception in Ottawa

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Polish Ambassador Piotr Ogrodzinski joined Blaine Calkins – Chairman of the Canada Poland Parliamentary Committee and Wladek Lizon President of the Canadian Polish Congress at an Anniversary Reception held at the Canadian Parliament on June 10 in Ottawa.

KPK - Press 2The reception, attend by almost 600 people, was to celebrate the 150th  Anniversary of the first Polish settlement by the Kaszubs in the Renfrew Area, the 100th Anniversary of Polonia in Windsor, Ontario and  the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the Canadian Polish Congress in 1933 (originally named Federation of Polish Societies in Canada and renamed in 1948 to the Canadian Polish Congress – KPK).

Representatives from the Polish Community from all across Canada were at the reception.  Guests from Montreal, Toronto, Wilno, Windsor, Hamilton, St. Catherines, Alberta, Manitoba, Mississauga, Kingston, Oakville, Kitchener-Waterloo - attended the event.

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KPK - Press 2In attendance also were various other dignitaries – the Honourable Jason Kenney – Secretary of State for Multiculturalism who was the driving force behind the removal of visa requirement for Polish citizens visiting Canada, Peggy Nash MP – Parkdale High Park,  Borys Wrzesnewskyj MP – Etobicoke Centre (former Chair of the Canada Poland Parliamentary Committee), Alan Tonks – MP York South Weston, Wajid Khan – MP Mississauga-Streetsville, and Kevin Sorenson – MP Alberta Crowfoot (Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee) among numerous others.

The Polish Alliance of Canada President Robert Zawierucha provided the 100th Anniversary Display celebrated by the Alliance in 2007, as well as, displays from Polonia Windsor and a Photo Exhibit of Kaszuby scenes in Canada.

Prime Minster Stephen Harper who was the main guest speaker provided a heartfelt message to the Polish community across Canada for their contribution to Canada’s cultural, social and economic prosperity.  Ambassador Piotr Ogrodzinski also delivered a very heartfelt message from Donald Tusk the Prime Minister of Poland.