Ottawa – Prime Minister Stephen Harper, joined by Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity Jason Kenney and Alberta Member of Parliament Blaine Calkins, chair of the Canada-Poland Parliamentary Friendship Group, met today with members of the Polish community to celebrate three important milestones in the history of Poles in Canada.

2008 marks the 150^th anniversary of the first Polish settlement in Canada in the Kaszuby region west of Ottawa, the 100^th anniversary of the birth of the thriving Polish community in Windsor, and the 75^th anniversary of the Canadian Polish Congress, the national voice of Canadians of Polish descent.

“These anniversaries remind us how much Polish Canadians – more than 800,000 strong today – have done to build our great country,” Prime Minister Harper said. “Polish Canadians have made their mark in every walk of Canadian life. “

The Prime Minister noted that the Government and the Canadian Polish Congress have worked together on numerous initiatives to strengthen ties between Canada and Poland including:

The removal of visa requirements for visitors of Poland to Canada

• A Social Security Agreement allowing the portability of pensions from either country.
• A Youth Mobility Agreement that will allow youth to work and study up to one year in our respective countries.

“I know the Canadian Polish Congress, and the Canada-Poland Parliamentary Friendship Group, have provided stalwart support for Poland during its years of transition,” Prime Minister Harper added.  “Our Government wholeheartedly supports your efforts, and we thank you for everything you have done and are doing to advance Canada-Poland relations.”

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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

This document is also available at http://pm.gc.ca