PM Attends Memorial in Mississauga

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be in Mississauga Thursday night to attend a funeral mass where the local Polish community will mourn the loss of Poland's president and 95 others who perished in Saturday's plane crash in Russia.

Harper has declared Thursday a national day of mourning to recognize the loss of many of Poland's political, government and military leaders who were killed in the air accident.

 

The mass at 6 p.m., organized by the Conference of Polish Priests for Eastern Canada and Ciesielczuk is at the St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Mississauga, 4260 Cawthra Rd.

The main celebrant will be Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto.

"On behalf of the government of Canada and people of Canada, I want to express the profound sorrow all Canadians feel in the wake of the plane crash at Smolensk," Harper told the crowd of mourners from the Polish Canadian community gathered at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church. "When Poland grieves, Canada grieves."

Members of the Liberal Party will also be at this memorial. Any bets Ignatieff won't be getting words of support?

In light of the many positive contributions that Canada can make to the improvement of maternal and child health, it is astonishing that the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Michael Ignatieff, has issued an official statement advocating contraception and abortion as fundamental elements in addressing this important issue.

The Prime Minister, Conservatives have been attacked for their religious views and efforts to reach out to each community as pandering.

Earlier this week Harper declared Thursday a national day of mourning for Canadians to stand in solidarity with the people of Poland and the Polish-Canadian community as they deal with the loss.

“It’s a symbolic gesture but a very important one for Polish Canadians and all Canadians,” said Rev. Pawel Ratajczak, director of Catholic Youth Studio.

“It’s a day to mourn but also a day to be thankful.”

The Prime Minister has made an effort to pay his respects to this tragic event, cultural traditions. Some will criticize him for his participation and attendance in support of our Polish Community.

There are clear cultural, diplomatic and economic advantages to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's current trip to India.

But there could also be a big political payoff in several ridings in Mississauga and the G.T.A. when South Asian Canadians go to the polls in several ridings in Mississauga and the G.T.A. in the next federal election, observers say.

"The Liberal party took us for granted and is now paying the price," Gill says.