Jason Kenney, Canada’s Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, visited the Vancouver Baha’i Centre on Tuesday 26 June.
He met with National Spiritual Assembly members Deloria Bighorn, Chair of the National Assembly, and Susanne Tamás, Director of Governmental Relations and members of Vancouver area Baha’i communities.
Susan and Nabih Ardekany of Vancouver met the Minister and introduced him to the Vancouver area Baha’i community. Several of those in attendance had the opportunity to speak to the Minister and his aides about some of the community-building activities pursued by Baha’is in Vancouver and across Canada.
Susanne Tamás and Deloria Bighorn spoke, thanking the Minister for the Canadian Government’s continued defence of the Baha’is of Iran, and presented the Minister with two books on behalf of the National Assembly.
In his remarks, Minister Kenney mentioned how he had met Baha’is as a young man at university, and said that he had a deep respect for the Baha’i community, and had greatly enjoyed visiting the Shrine of the Bab in Israel.
Following the meeting, Minister Kenney tweeted, “Received a very warm welcome from members of Vancouver’s impressive Baha’i community. Discussed persecution of Baha’is in Iran & elsewhere.”