Mr. Speaker, in 1957, the world's largest Armenian non-profit organization, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, set up shop in Montreal. The organization then spent the next 60 years providing exceptional service to the community through educational, cultural, social, sports, and humanitarian programs.
The AGBU is focused on becoming a second home to so many. It offers multi-age, multi-purpose programs and services to not only its own community but also to the community at large.
The Armenian General Benevolent Union has made education one of its top priorities and supports schools, such as the Alex Manoogian school in Montreal.
It has provided French language training and integration services to people from Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt and, more recently, Syria.
On this occasion, I wish to congratulate the Armenian General Benevolent Union in Canada on its 60th anniversary.