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| THE MONTREAL GREEK TIMES GOPHER NEWS SERVICE |
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April 2026
Outremont borough council unanimously supports federal legislation to
establish national Hellenic heritage month
(GIF) article photo
By Dimitri Papadopoulos
The brightly lit council chamber of the Outremont borough hall,
featuring a curved wooden dais and a prominent municipal crest mounted
high on the wall, provided a dignified setting for a night dedicated to
democratic participation and cultural recognition. The atmosphere during
the evening session forecasted weighty themes of historical resilience,
the enduring legacy of ancient philosophical traditions, and a concerted
legislative push to formally enshrine the contributions of the Greek
diaspora within the national calendar.
During the regular sitting of the Outremont borough council on March
10, 2026, local elected officials took a definitive stance on cultural
preservation. City councillor Georgia Haloulos, representing the
district of Claude-Ryan, officially introduced a motion of support for
federal legislation that seeks to designate March as Hellenic Heritage
Month across the entirety of Canada. Speaking to the chamber in
French, Councillor Haloulos stated that the local government wanted to
propose an important motion to formally recognize the month of March
as the Hellenic heritage month.
Borough Mayor Caroline Braun read the extensive details of the
resolution into the public record to provide context for the local
assembly. The official text noted that the population of Greek
origin represents approximately four per cent of the total
population of Outremont. The document also highlighted the ongoing
celebrations marking the one hundred and twentieth anniversary of
the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal. Mayor Braun articulated
that this milestone marks more than a century of continuous
presence, deep resilience, and significant cultural and economic
contributions to the city.
The municipal resolution explicitly throws the weight of the borough
behind Senate Bill S-220. This federal legislation, formally titled An
Act to designate the month of March as Hellenic Heritage Month, was
introduced in the Upper Chamber of the Parliament of Canada on May 28,
2025, by Senator Tony Loffreda. The parliamentary effort to secure this
national designation has deep roots, originating from the persistent
work of Member of Parliament Annie Koutrakis. She first tabled similar
legislation in the House of Commons in March 2021 with the vision of
elevating provincial recognitions into a nationwide celebration of the
community. After navigating various procedural hurdles and parliamentary
dissolutions, the strategy shifted to the Senate, resulting in a
bipartisan collaboration where Senator Loffreda sponsored the current
bill with full support from Senator Leo Housakos.
Mayor Braun continued reading the federal bill’s preamble to the local
assembly, officially reciting that more than two hundred and sixty
thousand Canadians are of Greek descent and that numerous vibrant
communities exist across the country. The municipal mayor stated that
these individuals have brought a precious and lasting contribution to
the political, economic, scientific, legal, medical, cultural, and
social fabric of Canada. The legislative text further recognized that
the very origins of Canadian democracy trace back directly to the
ancient Greek city-state of Athens.
During the Senate debates on the bill, Senator Housakos reminded the
chamber that the word democracy derives from “Demokratia”, meaning power
to the people, and described how citizens in the ancient Agora debated
and held their leaders to account.
The municipal reading also emphasized the deep spiritual and historical
significance of the chosen month. Mayor Braun recited that on March 25,
1821, coinciding with the Feast of the Annunciation, Greece commenced
its war of independence from the Ottoman Empire. This pivotal date
served as the prelude to the creation of the modern state of Greece. The
history of this struggle has frequently been invoked by national
advocates to illustrate the character of the diaspora. Senator Housakos
has previously spoken passionately about the four hundred years of
Ottoman occupation, describing how priests and teachers risked their
lives in church basements to preserve the language and faith. He also
drew historical parallels to the Second World War, specifically
referencing October 28, 1940, when the population responded to the
ultimatum from fascist Italy with a single word of refusal. These
historical touchstones provide the context for understanding the immense
resilience that early immigrants eventually brought to North America
when they established institutions such as the first Greek Orthodox
Church in Montreal in 1906.
By endorsing the federal bill, the Outremont borough council
acknowledged the broader mission of diaspora organizations to strengthen
cultural identity and promote civic engagement abroad. The approved
motion states that celebrating a dedicated heritage month will continue
to encourage Canadians of Greek origin to promote their traditions and
share them with their fellow citizens. After Mayor Braun concluded the
reading of the motion, Councillor Haloulos officially seconded the
proposal. The council members, including Bo Choko, Amélie Cliche, and
Mercedes Plante, then offered their unanimous support, with each
councillor verbally voting in favour of the measure.
The legislative endorsement marked the final item on the agenda before
the municipal session was adjourned and the mayor wished everyone a
beautiful end to the evening.
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