Sarkis Assadourian
Encyclopedia
Sarkis Assadourian 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, with great support of the Armenian community of Toronto.
Assadourian has grown distant to some in the Armenian-Canadian community by supporting such organizations as the Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation Commission (TARC). The TARC does not continue its activities anymore.
Assadourian was first elected as member for Don Valley North
in 1993. In 1997, Assadourian moved seats to Brampton Centre
. Generally considered a Chrétien
loyalist, he did not run in the 2004 election
after the election of Paul Martin
as leader. The Liberal Party candidate was instead Ruby Dhalla
.
He now serves as a Citizenship Judge
in Toronto. In December 2008, he harshly criticized the Liberal Party's move to form a coalition with NDP and the Bloc in order to take power.
Sarkis ran in the 2010 Richmond Hill Municipal Elections, and lost.
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.
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
. He became the first Armenian-Canadian to be elected to the House of Commons, with great support of the Armenian community of Toronto.
Assadourian has grown distant to some in the Armenian-Canadian community by supporting such organizations as the Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation Commission (TARC). The TARC does not continue its activities anymore.
Assadourian was first elected as member for Don Valley North
Don Valley North
Don Valley North was a federal electoral district represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1988 to 1997. It was located the city of North York, in the province of Ontario. This riding was created in 1987, and was first used in the federal election of 1988...
in 1993. In 1997, Assadourian moved seats to Brampton Centre
Brampton Centre
Brampton Centre was a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1997 to 2004. This riding was created in 1996 from parts of Brampton riding....
. Generally considered a Chrétien
Jean Chrétien
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....
loyalist, he did not run in the 2004 election
Canadian federal election, 2004
The Canadian federal election, 2004 , was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 38th Parliament of Canada. The Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin lost its majority, but was able to form a minority government after the elections...
after the election of Paul Martin
Paul Martin
Paul Edgar Philippe Martin, PC , also known as Paul Martin, Jr. is a Canadian politician who was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada, as well as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
as leader. The Liberal Party candidate was instead Ruby Dhalla
Ruby Dhalla
Ruby Dhalla is a Canadian politician. She represented the riding of Brampton—Springdale in the Canadian House of Commons from 2004 to 2011 as a member of the Liberal Party...
.
He now serves as a Citizenship Judge
Citizenship judge
A citizenship judge is an official or judge of the Canadian government who reviews applications for Canadian citizenship.Citizenship judges are appointed by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration....
in Toronto. In December 2008, he harshly criticized the Liberal Party's move to form a coalition with NDP and the Bloc in order to take power.
Sarkis ran in the 2010 Richmond Hill Municipal Elections, and lost.
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.