CANADIAN HELLENIC CONGRESS

ADVOCATING FOR CANADIANS HELLENES AND HELLENISM

Canadian Hellenic Congress (Congress) has been the Voice of Hellenism in Canada since 1982. We speak for Canadians of Hellenic heritage and their communities and organizations on matters of education, cultural, social, economic and national Hellenic issues.

The Congress is a non-for-profit, democratic communal institution, member-funded organization representing more than 250,000 Hellenic-Canadians and their associations and societies from coast-to-coast.

The Congress serves as a link between individuals, communities, associations and societies and governments, including non-governmental bodies..

 

OBJECTS

The objects of the Congress include:

• To advance and promote Hellenism, Democracy, Human Rights and Civic Responsibility
• To enhance solidarity and unity among Hellenic communities and their organizations throughout Canada
• To facilitate and ensure the continuity and development of Hellenic culture, language, custom, tradition, spiritual and social heritage in Canada
• To promote and support Hellenic education and the development of Hellenic values

MEMBERSHIP AND STRUCTURE

The membership unit of the Congress is the organization. The organization could be communities, associations, societies, federations, professional groups and individuals.

Individuals of Hellenic descent can also be members of the Congress.

In Atlantic Provinces, Quebec and British Columbia and Saskatchewan the members have a direct membership to the Congress through the respective regional councils.

At the national level, the Congress functions are administered by two principal organs: The National Council and the National Assembly.

National Council

The National Council is the board of directors of the Congress and comprises of 26 elected persons and the immediate past president. Elections are held every three years. Members of the National Council represent provinces/regions.

National Assembly

The National Assembly is comprised of 100 delegates selected by the member organizations from across Canada. The National Assembly meets once a year.

Provincial Congresses and Regional Councils

At the provincial level, the Congress functions are administered by the three provincial congresses and four regional council in accordance with its own Constitution and bylaws.

The congresses and regional Councils are:

• Canadian Hellenic Congress of Alberta;
• Hellenic Canadian Congress of Manitoba;
• Hellenic Canadian Congress of Ontario;
• Atlantic Hellenic Regional Council;
• BC Hellenic Regional Council;
• Quebec Hellenic Regional Council; and
• Saskatchewan Hellenic Regional Council.

The Canadian Hellenic Congress, is a member of the Canadian Ethnoculural Council and partners and collaborates with many other organizations.

Activities included:

• The Congress has held national and regional conferences on Cyprus, Greek language instruction, education, youth issues, socio-economic issues and building trade relations between Canada and Greece.
• The Congress has made representation to municipal governments about the FYROM and flag raising recognitions.
• The Congress with our partners (Canadian Jewish Congress, National Congress of Italian Canadians) contributed to our country’s constitutional challenges by organizing and holding cross country consultations on the constitutional arrangements, i.e. Charlottetown Accord.
• The Congress with our partners (Armenian National Federation of Canada, Cypriot Federation of Canada, and Serbian National Shield of Canada) organized and held conferences on Balkan and Mediterranean security issues.

Greek Veterans Pensions Extension

• Worked with the Federal government and extended the period on Greek Veterans pensions.

Canadian Olympic Committee

• Representation to the Canadian Olympic Committee about the use of the name “Olympic” by Canadian Hellenic business.

Pier 21 – Commemoration Plaque

• Pier 21 – Special plaque commemorating and honoring the Greek immigrants who enter Canada through this Halifax port pier.

CANDU Nuclear Reactors

• Advocated against the sale of Canadian nuclear reactors (CANDU) to Turkey.

Public Policy Issues

• Presentation and submission on Canadian security legislation
• Advocated ethnic broadcasting in Canada

Celebrating Greek Contributions

• Her Majesty’s The Greek Immigrant Exhibit, commemorating the contributions of Greeks immigrants.

Supporting the Armenian Community

• Supporting our partner, the Armenian Community, in its efforts to get Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
• Working with the Coptic Community on the Syrian and Iraqi Refugees

Hellenic Pontic Genocide

• Establishment of the Greek Pontian Genocide Memorial Park
• Working with governments to acknowledge and recognize the tragic and destructive events of August 1919 against Greek Canadian business. Toronto City Council passed a resolution to that effect at its July, 2015 meeting.
• Working with Toronto City Council to declare May 19^th as a Greek Pontian Genocide Remembrance Day. We achieved this on May 19, 2016
• Communications with several Ontario and Quebec and other cities and provinces , municipal councils to declare May 19^th as the Greek Pontian Genocide Remembrance Day. The Ottawa Mayor made such proclamation on May 19^th
• Promoting and Advancing Senate Motion 158 – Recognition of Greek Pontic Genocide and Designation of May 19^th as a Remembrance Day throughout Canada. Organized and Coordinated National Letter writing calling upon the Senators to pass the motion. The campaign continues.
• Municipal Councils that have passed resolutions and/or issued proclamation in 2017:

City of Oshawa, Borough of LaSalle (Montreal), Borough of Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension (Montreal), City of Montreal, City of Vancouver, City of Regina

Canada 150

• Canada 150: A partnership project with the Armenian National Committee of Canada; Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs; Ukranian Canadian Congress and other