"Canada’s Hellenic Legislators Join Together to Mark 200 Years of Greek Independence

Oakville North-Burlington – Effie Triantafilopoulos, MPP for Oakville North-Burlington, announced today that members of Hellenic descent in Canada’s Parliament and Legislatures have come together to mark the bicentennial of Greece’s Independence on March 25. The legislators have organized commemorations, public statements in their legislatures, flag-raisings, lighting of national monuments and other events to celebrate this special anniversary with Canadians across the country. 

The legislators include: 

Hon. Leo Housakos, Senator 

Nikki Ashton, MP (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski) 

Peter Fragiskatos, MP (London North Centre) 

Annie Koutrakis, MP (Vimy) 

Emmanuella Lambropoulos, MP (Saint-Laurent) 

Hon. Demetrios Nicolaides, MLA (Calgary-Bow, Alberta) 

Hon. Labi Kousoulis, MLA (Halifax Citadel-Sable Island, Nova Scotia) 

Christina Mitas, MPP (Scarborough Centre, Ontario) 

Effie Triantafilopoulos, MPP (Oakville North-Burlington, Ontario) 

In 1821, an uprising in Greece led to the nation’s independence from the Ottoman Empire and 2021 marks the 200^th Anniversary of the restoration of Greek freedom and democracy. Across Canada, the bicentennial is being marked with celebrations, including: 

• Statements by Ministers and Members in the Parliament of Canada and provincial legislatures. 
• Flag raisings at legislatures and city halls across Canada 
• Lighting of historical monuments in the national colours of Greece, including the Calgary Tower, CN Tower, Halifax bridge, Niagara Falls and other national monuments. 

The legislators will also be releasing a joint video on social media on March 25. 

Quote from Effie Triantafilopoulos MPP

“I am honoured to gather together with my colleagues of Hellenic descent to celebrate the bicentennial of Greece’s Independence. We are all proud Canadians and proud Hellenes and want to mark this special anniversary with Canadians of all backgrounds. Greeks began arriving in Canada around Confederation and today the community contributes to every sector of Canadian life, from business and politics, to education, sport and science. I hope that this joint effort with my fellow legislators will be the start of a important association highlighting Hellenic history, heritage and culture across Canada.” 

QUICK FACTS 

• Canada’s 2016 census recorded 271,410 people of Greek ethnic origin in Canada 
• The census of 1871 counted 39 Greeks in Canada, with organized communities by the beginning of the 20^th century 
• Greece and its Hellenic culture extend back thousands of years, but prior to 1821 the country and its people had been ruled for hundreds of years by the Ottoman Empire.