PRESS RELEASES

December 6th, 2007

For immediate release

Canadian Somali Congress and Canadian-Somali leaders hold historic Canadian-Somali Lobby Day on Parliament Hill and meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper

The Canadian Somali Congress, the national advocacy organization for the Canadian Somali community, along with community leaders from the Canadian Somali community, held the first ever Canadian-Somali national lobby day on Wednesday, December 5th, 2007 on Parliament Hill. The delegation, was led by the National President of the Canadian Somali Congress, Mr. Ahmed Hussen, and included community representatives from Ottawa and Toronto as well as the Legal Counsel to the Canadian Somali Congress, Mr. James Morton, and Honourary Patrons of the Canadian Somali Congress, Professor Ed Morgan and Mark Persaud.

National President Ahmed Hussen with the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada

"This was an extremely important and historic day for Canadians of Somali heritage" stated National President Ahmed Hussen. "It marks the first ever organized national lobby day on issues of importance to the Canadian-Somali community and we were able to discuss a number of matters with Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and senior government officials.  We were especially thrilled to spend some time with the Prime Minister of Canada and very pleased with the attention, interest and respect that we were accorded by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister was well informed on the situation in Somalia and he discussed those developments with the delegation." Mr. Hussen further stated that Minister Jason Kenney has earned the admiration and respect of the Canadian Somali community for his tireless efforts on behalf of the community. 

Members of the Canadian Somali Congress, other Canadian Somali leaders and the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada

Among the issues discussed,  were more support for the further integration of Canadian Somalis, immigration and consular matters, humanitarian aid to Somalia and the appointment of a Canadian Special Envoy to Somalia. Meetings were held with The Honourable Bev Oda, Minister of International Cooperation and Minister responsible for the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA); Minister Jason Kenney, Secretary of State for Multiculturalism; Kevin Sorenson, Member of Parliament and Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs; and senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The lobby day was followed by a reception for the delegation hosted by the the Canadian Jewish Congress in Ottawa.

For further information, contact:

Ebyan Farah
Director of Communications
Canadian Somali Congress

Tel:        (416) 333-1982
e-mail:   ebyanf@gmail.com

The Canadian Somali Congress is a non-partisan non-governmental Canadian organization dedicated to addressing issues of importance to Canadians of Somali heritage. The Congress works collabratively with governmental, non-governmental organizations and individuals to facilitate the integration of Canadians of Somali heritage and to promote Canadian values.