Shortly after our arrival in Canada, it was necessary to visit the Lebanese Embassy in Ottawa and get to know its ambassador, after we heard from the Lebanese community about his efforts to be the link between the Lebanese community and Canadians of Lebanese origin in Canada and their home country, Lebanon. Upon contacting His Excellency, an appointment was set with the utmost ease.
We went to the Lebanese Embassy in the Canadian capital, Ottawa, which is about 200 km, three hours away from Montreal, for a visit to get acquainted and to meet with Ambassador Fadi Ziadeh. We were received with all the warmth and hospitality of the Lebanese people, in a heritage building that was built in the year 1909 and purchased in the year 1963 to be the headquarters of the embassy and the residence of the ambassador.
It should be noted that in the year 2018, the embassy building, built in 1918, was renovated at the initiative of the ambassador and with the contribution of the Lebanese expats in Canada, who did not hesitate to provide the necessary support to the embassy of their country, which they consider a part of Lebanon in the Diaspora, to keep pace with the era in digitization and modernity. Expansion work in the building took over several years, until the embassy celebrated the opening of the new building, in a reception held on May 26, 2023 after completing the construction and restoration project, which was implemented through contributions and donations from the people of the community in Canada, and during the ceremony the curtain was unveiled Commemorative plaque and presentation of an honorary shield to the donors as a token of thanks and appreciation for their contribution to supporting the embassy that represents their mother country, with the participation of spiritual and parliamentary events.
We met with Ambassador Fadi Ziyadah in his office at the embassy to tell us about the concerns, of the Lebanese in Canada, and he answered us, “The Lebanese community here is considered one of the largest Arab communities in terms of number. The number of Lebanese Canadians of Lebanese origin or of Lebanese roots there is about half a million, and they are geographically distributed over The provinces of Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Alberta, in addition to the capital, Ottawa… I note that a large number of Lebanese in Canada have achieved success stories in many sectors, including industry, trade, and business field …Lebanese immigration to Canada began in 1882.”
He added, “We must restore the confidence of the Lebanese expatriate in his country and its institutions, and here the media plays a vital role in conveying the image from Lebanon to the Lebanese in the expatriate. under the current economic crisis.
And he went on to say, “As a member of the Council of Arab Ambassadors to Canada, which includes sixteen Arab ambassadors accredited to Canada, we work in cooperation with fellow ambassadors through periodic meetings and activities, to unify the bonds of cooperation between Arab countries and all Arabic-speaking communities.”
Regarding the Canadian Parliament’s approval of the Lebanese Heritage Month Act, which was worked on by the Lebanese Canadian Parliament member, Linda Muthalej , it was decided that it will be in the month of November of each year, and it aims to encourage Lebanese Canadians to enhance their traditions and culture with the participation of Canadians, and the fact that November is the month that the Lebanese celebrate their independence worldwide “
Ambassador Ziadeh concluded by saying: “A distinguished project that we will work to accompany as an embassy and ambassador of Lebanon in Canada, and the doors of the embassy are open for every initiative or project of the Lebanese community during the Lebanese Heritage Month and everything that contributes to activating the role of the Lebanese communities in the diaspora, especially Canada, which reflects the ancient culture and civilization of Lebanon in the outside”.
Interviewed by Rita Wakim