November 25th - December 1st, 2008

VISIT OF AMBASSADOR MASSOUD MAALOUF TO THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA

During the period November 25-December 1st, 2008 the Lebanese Ambassador Mr. Massoud Maalouf made a visit to the Province of Alberta.

In Edmonton, Ambassador Maalouf met with the provincial authorities, including the Honourable Premier Ed Stelmach, the Honourable Lieutenant Governor Norman L. Kwong, and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Honourable Ken Kowalski. His Excellency was also received by Officials of the International and Intergovernmental Relations where a presentation and discussion on Alberta/Lebanon relations was held. Other meetings included the Honourable Cindy Ady, Minister of Tourism, and Mr. Doug Griffiths Parliamentary Assistant for Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Honourable Minister of Culture and Community Spirit Mr. Lindsay Blacket hosted a Reception/Luncheon in honour of His Excellency the Lebanese Ambassador.

Ambassador Maalouf also paid a courtesy call on the charismatic Member of Legislative Assembly of Lebanese Origin Mr. Moe Amery, and was very honoured to be seated in the Speaker's gallery of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and introduced to the members of the Assembly.

The Ambassador also made a courtesy call on His Worship the Mayor of Edmonton Mr. Mandel, accompanied by members of the community.

Ambassador Maalouf also held important meetings with leaders of the Lebanese community, and visited all the religious centers, Christian and Moslem, of our vibrant community. The Ambassador was also very impressed by the number of Lebanese and Arab Students in each of Killarney and Glengarry Public Schools and by the Arabic programs taught in both schools. He was very satisfied that the program of his stay in Edmonton included a visit to these schools.

The 65th anniversary of the Independence of Lebanon was celebrated in the Royal Glenora Club. The gala dinner hosted by the Edmonton Chapter of WLCU was attended by Federal Member of the House of Commons Mr. Brian Storseth, MLA Moe Amery, and a number of the provincial authorities and members of the Lebanese community.

In Calgary, Ambassador Maalouf held meetings with leaders of the Lebanese Community from different religions and political affiliations and he attended a mass in the Maronite Church of Calgary, celebrated by Father Esper Antoun. After the Mass, a lunch/meeting took place with members of the community and Ambassador Maalouf answered the many questions asked about consular matters and the relations with the Embassy.

An afternoon meeting with hundreds of Lebanese/Canadians was also held in Calgary with a questions and answer session.

During all his speeches and meetings, Ambassador Maalouf asserted that the Embassy in Ottawa is always disposed and ready to address all the issues faced by the Lebanese Community in Alberta and elsewhere in Canada, assuring everybody that the Embassy is at the disposition of the community irrespective of the difference in religions and political affiliations of its members.

At the conclusion of this successful visit, Ambassador Maalouf expressed his gratefulness for the generosity and love shown by the community and his admiration for the achievements of Lebanese-Canadian in Alberta. He was also very thankful for all the efforts exerted by the Office of Protocol of the Province of Alberta who organized this important program for the trip.