Armenia Awards Former Canadian MP Jim Karygiannis ‘Mkhitar Gosh’ Medal

Armenia Awards Former Canadian MP Jim Karygiannis ‘Mkhitar Gosh’ Medal –

The Republic of Armenia awarded former Canadian MP Jim Karygiannis for his contributions to strengthening Canada-Armenia relations and the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. On September 18, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Canada Armen Yeganian handed the Mkhitar Gosh medal award to Mr. Karygiannis during the Armenian Independence Day celebration in Toronto.

 The Mkhitar Gosh Medal rewards exceptional achievements in the political-social spheres, as well as outstanding efforts in the fields of diplomacy, law, and political science.

 Jim Karygiannis served in the Canadian House of Commons as a Liberal MP from 1988 to 2014. He was elected to Toronto City Council on October 27, 2014.

 For his work with a number of communities, Jim has received recognition, including being awarded:

• ‘The Mkhitar Gosh Medal’ from the Government of The Republic of Armenia for his substantial input in international recognition of the Armenian Genocide;
• The ‘25 Year of Karabakh Movement’ Gold Medal by the Government of The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic as the first Canadian to visit the Republic in 2012 to observe the Presidential Elections; and,
• The decoration of the ‘Officer’s Gold Cross of the Order of Phoenix’ by the Hellenic Republic in recognition of his many public service contributions.

Jim Karygiannis was born in Athens, Greece in 1955.  He immigrated to Canada with his family in 1966.