Sarkis Assadourian

Sarkis Assadourian (born January 25, 1948) is an Armenian-Canadian politician from the Liberal Party of Canada. He became the first Armenian-Canadian to be elected to the House of Commons,[1] with great support of the Armenian community of Toronto.

For the Iranian Olympic fencer, see Sarkis Assadourian (fencer).
Sarkis Assadourian
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Brampton Centre
In office
1997–2004
Preceded byRiding established
Succeeded byRiding abolished
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Don Valley North
In office
1993–1997
Preceded byBarbara Greene
Succeeded byRiding abolished
Personal details
Born (1948-01-25) January 25, 1948
Aleppo, Syria
Political partyLiberal
Spouse(s)Zaza
Children4
ResidenceToronto, Ontario
ProfessionJudge

Background

Assadourian was born in Aleppo, Syria. His family emigrated soon after. He studied painting at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. In 1970 he moved to Toronto where he worked as a property manager. He also worked as a consultant on multiculturalism for both the provincial and federal governments.[2]

Assadourian and his wife Zaza have four children. He remains a supporter of Armenian causes and is an active member of the Richmond Hill Federal Liberal Association executive.

Politics

In 1988, Assadourian entered politics as the Liberal candidate in the riding of Don Valley North. He won the Liberal nomination over rival Sarmite Bulte.[3] During the campaign debate he said that he wanted, "honest and open government, for a change." The New Democratic Party candidate, Anton Kuerti reminded him that the Tories were elected in 1984 criticising the Liberals on the same issue.[4] Assadourian stated that he was staunchly against abortion which was a hot button issue during the campaign.[2] He lost the election to Conservative candidate Barbara Greene by 604 votes.

In 1993 he ran again and this time won against Greene by 14,054 votes in what was a general rout of the Conservatives in Toronto and nationwide.[5] In 1997, Assadourian moved seats to Brampton Centre.[1] In 2003, he served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. He did not run in the 2004 election.

Assadourian ran in the 2010 Richmond Hill Municipal Elections in Ward 3. He placed fifth out of seven candidates.

After politics

He now serves as a Citizenship Judge in Toronto.[6]

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References
  1. Sarkis Assadourian – Parliament of Canada biography
  2. Picard, Andre (1988-11-18). "Pianist, two painters ply their political art in Don Valley North". The Globe and Mail. p. A3. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  3. Smith, Dan (1988-09-26). "High road pays off for Liberal hopeful". Toronto Star. p. A7. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  4. Lakey, Jack (1988-11-07). "Candidates' meeting saved from snores". Toronto Star. p. A7. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  5. Makin, Kirk; Smith, Vivian (1993-10-26). "Election '93 Liberal powerhouse sweeps in Metro Toronto Tories fail to take single riding as voters paint the town red". The Globe and Mail. p. D5. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  6. "2007–2008 Annual Report, Office of the Senior Citizenship Judge". Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
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