Montreal - His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, with some 350 delegates and guests from across Canada, presented local MP Gary Goodyear with the "Spirit of Armenia".

Delegates from as far away as Vancouver held 3 days of meetings in Montreal late last week, culminating in a ceremony held Saturday night at the Armenian Community Center, to celebrate the churches 50th anniversary as well as Archbishop Hagopians 40th year of service.

Each year, a citizen is selected for outstanding work and friendship to the Armenian community. This year the group voted Cambridge MP Gary Goodyear receives this auspicious designation. Dr Goodyear is the Chairman of the Canada-Armenian Interparliamentary Friendship group in Ottawa.

"I am intensely honoured and humbled at receiving this great recognition" Goodyear said in a speech to a packed room.

Goodyear had been instrumental in the Conservative Governments recognition of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, as well as in sponsoring bilateral meetings and fostering relations between Canada and Armenia.

"Recognizing the events of 1915 as Genocide was simply the correct thing to do. It allows families to heal and to move forward" the MP said following the events celebrations.

Some members of the Cambridge Armenian community traveled to Montreal to be in attendance: Simon Paladian, Reverand Passonian, and Virej Kassamanian as well as Goodyear's wife Valerie and two children.

Goodyear is also on the Executive for the Canada-Portugal Interparliamentary group, Executive Member of the Canadian-Europe Parliamentary Association and Board Member of Canadian Parliamentarians against Corruption (CANPAC). Dr. Goodyear is also the Chairman of the Space industry Caucus and a member of the Commonwealth Association.

Last years recipient was the Honourable Jason Kenny, the current Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity.

For More Information, please contact Gary Goodyear at 613 996 1307.