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| THE MONTREAL GREEK TIMES GOPHER NEWS SERVICE |
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March 2026
NDG council adopts declaration honouring 120th anniversary
of the Hellenic community
(GIF) article photo
By Dimitri Papadopoulos
The austere municipal council room of the Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-
Grace borough hall provided the setting for a formal acknowledgment of
the historical roots of the Greek diaspora in Montreal. The gathering
focused on cultural longevity, the early waves of immigration that
shaped the city, and a civic commitment to honouring the institutions
that have sustained the community for over a century. During the regular
sitting of the borough council on March 9, 2026, the local government
moved to formally highlight the deep historical presence of the diaspora
within the municipality. Acting Borough Mayor Sonny Moroz introduced a
formal declaration to commemorate the one hundred and twentieth
anniversary of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal. The official
municipal document notes that the presence of the Greek community in
Quebec, and specifically within the borough, dates back to the late
nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The text further explains that
immigration accelerated from the 1950s onward, establishing Montreal as
the primary destination for Greek immigrants arriving in the province.
The municipal resolution relies on recent census data to underscore the
current demographic footprint of the community. The document states
that according to the 2021 Statistics Canada census, nearly forty per
cent of the population of Greek origin in the entire province resides
within the Montreal territory. This figure represents nearly twenty-
seven thousand residents who have contributed to the economic, social,
cultural, and artistic development of both the city and the borough. A
central focus of the declaration is the physical presence of the
Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal within the borough limits. The
official text highlights that the organization's headquarters are
located on Wilderton Avenue in the district of Côte-des-Neiges. The
resolution acknowledges that this organization has served the Greek
population of the metropolis since 1906, offering various activities to
preserve and promote the language. The document further details that
the organization encompasses a vast complex, including a school, an
episcopal palace, a community centre, and the Saint George Greek
Orthodox Cathedral. The resolution notes that the construction of the
cathedral was completed in the late 1950s during a period marked by the
significant expansion of the community following the Second World War.
Acting Mayor Moroz, who is currently managing the council sessions while
Borough Mayor Stéphanie Valenzuela is on maternity leave, addressed the
assembly regarding the declaration. He utilized his time to reflect on
the impact of the diaspora, stating that after one hundred and twenty
years of being in Montreal, it is time to do more for the Greek
community with statues and commemorations. Moroz expressed confidence in
the future, predicting that a new generation of community members will
get involved, following in the footsteps of previous Greek elected
officials who served their residents diligently. He formally thanked the
community for their efforts to instill good values in the next
generation, which makes society better. The declaration also ties the
organizational anniversary to broader historical events, noting that
March 25, 1821, marks the beginning of the insurrection of the Greeks to
free themselves from the Ottoman Empire. The text recognizes that the
local community celebrates this day annually with a parade through the
streets of Montreal on the first Sunday following the date. The formal
recommendation adopted by the council asks the borough to recognize the
importance of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal in gathering
and preserving the culture.
Following the acting mayor's introduction, Émilie Brière, the municipal
councillor representing the district of Côte-des-Neiges, addressed the
chamber. She emphasized the localized nature of the organization within
her district. Brière stated she was very happy to have the opportunity
to discover the cultural richness of the communities that are part of
the territory of her district. She expressed her intent to move forward
with members of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal so that this
richness is celebrated. Brière added that she was very happy to be the
elected representative who welcomes their implementation in the district
of Côte-des-Neiges, officially joining her voice to celebrate the
anniversary. The motion, presented by Acting Mayor Moroz, was formally
supported by Councillor Milany Thiagarajah before being adopted by the
council. The legislative endorsement marked the conclusion of the
discussion on the item before the municipal session proceeded with the
remainder of the evening's agenda.
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