Judge Babikian (Centre) with His Excellency Armen Yeganian (Far right), MP Joe Daniel (Right), and his Mother and Niece (Left and Far Left)
Toronto- During the Sept. 28, 2012 celebration of the 21st anniversary of the Independence of Armenia, which was organized by Toronto Armenian Cultural Associations under the auspices of His Excellency Armen Yeganian, Armenia’s Ambassador to Canada, Citizenship Judge Aris Babikian received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his 35 years of contribution to the Canadian civil society.
The medal was presented to Judge Babikian by Don Valley East Member of Parliament Joe Daniel on behalf of the Governor General and the Government of Canada. In his remarks Mr. Daniel touched upon the momentous occasion of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the Diamond Jubilee Medal objective, and the rational to bestow Judge Babikian with the medal.
Mr. Daniel cited some of Judge Babikian’s long-time valuable contributions to Canadian multicultural, human rights, political, journalistic, and social spheres. Among them are his position as agent general to the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada in Ottawa, short-term international elections monitor of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s, participation in the National (Canadian) Umbrella Organizations’ roundtable on the “UN World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance,” and the preparation of briefs and testimony at the House of Commons Heritage Committee hearings related to multicultural, Canadian culture and heritage issues, and the Canadian Radio and Television Commission (CRTC).
Furthermore, Judge Babikian has acted as the secretary of the Canadian Ethnocultural Council (CEC), chaired the Political Affairs Committee of CEC, and served on the media, immigration, census, and redress committees of the CEC. Judge Babikian was the President of the Armenian National Federation of Canada and the executive director of the Armenian National Committee of Canada’s national office in Ottawa.
After the presentation of the medal, Judge Babikian thanked the government of Canada and Mr. Daniel for nominating him for the honor and privilege. He said, “There is no higher calling than to serve the people and the government of Canada.” He added that volunteering and contributing to the betterment of our great nation is a small token of appreciation for what Canada has offered him and his family. Judge Babikian also thanked over the 350 attendees and the rest of the community for their support and solidarity during the past 35 years.
Among the previous recognitions Judge Babikian has received from various level of government and civil society organization are the National Ethnic Press and Media Council’s Human Rights/Social Justice Award, Ontario Volunteer Service Award (for 25 years of service), the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the Canadian Ethnocultural Council’s Citation for Outstanding Services, and Canada’s 125th Confederation Commemorative Medal.
Judge Babikian (Right) with MP Joe Daniel (Left) and His Excellency Armen Yeganian
Share on Facebook
