On May 5, 2014 the Alberta Legislature recognized the Armenian genocide of 1915. The commemoration ceremony was held in the main rotunda of the legislative building and was hosted by the Honorable Gene Zwozdesky, the Speaker of the Legislature. The two members of the Legislature, Mrs. Janice Stretch MLA for Edmonton Decore and Ms. Mary Anne Jablonski, (a 
former member of St. Gregory Church of St. Catherine’s) MLA for Red Deer North and the Deputy Speaker worked tirelessly with the community members of the Edmonton parish, St. Narek Armenian Church and the Calgary Parish, Holy Almighty. Special thanks go to Mr. Arsen Vaganyan, for coordinating the recognition of this somber event.
Community members were invited to the legislature for the official recognition of the Armenian genocide and the lighting of the candle and all political parties of the legislature were present. Among the guest of honors where Honorable Dave Hancock, Premier of Alberta, Mr. Rod Fox, representing the official opposition, Dr. Raj Sherman, Leader of the Liberal opposition, Mr. David Eggen, representing the New Democratic opposition.
During this event, Reverend Archpriest Father Keghart Garabedian, Pastor of St. Vartan Armenian Church represented the Locum Tenens of our Diocese His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisian. Also, present was Mr. Shahin Soheili from Vancouver, member of the Diocesan Council. Father Keghart presented the Speaker of the Legislature with a letter of appreciation on behalf of the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia, His Excellency Armen Yeganian. After a minute of silence, four candles were lit in honor of the 
fallen martyrs and wreaths were placed at the Legislature Memorial Wall in recognition of this event. The Canadian Diocese thanks all members of the Alberta Legislature in attendance for their principled approach and support.
