Andrzej Duda and Agata Kornhauser-Duda conveyed their congratulations in a message on Sunday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
In a video message posted on Twitter, the president said: “On behalf of the Polish people, we send our greetings to everyone gathered at the 90th Anniversary Gala of the Canadian-Polish Congress. We extend a warm welcome to Poles and Canadians of Polish descent who make up the almost million-strong Polish community in Canada.”
The first lady hailed the Canadian-Polish Congress for “supporting and integrating” the Polish community in Canada.
She noted that when Poland’s communist authorities introduced martial law in 1981, Poles in Canada “provided a safe haven for thousands of compatriots emigrating from Poland.”
“We remember this with gratitude,” she said.
Kornhauser-Duda added that the Canadian-Polish Congress “worked effectively” to support Poland’s bid to join the NATO alliance in the late 1990s, describing these efforts as “beautiful proof of the ties that bind Poland’s national community."
She praised the Canadian-Polish Congress for “countless patriotic, charity and educational initiatives” and thanked the organisation for cultivating the Polish language and traditions and helping “forge respect and devotion to our shared heritage.”
Meanwhile, the president said that “the achievements of Polish people in Canada are a source of pride and joy.”
Duda added: “May these feelings fill your celebrations and may the activities of the Canadian-Polish Congress continue to help strengthen our national community and develop Polish-Canadian partnership.”
The Canadian-Polish Congress was established in 1933 as the Federation of Polish Societies of Canada, the PAP news agency reported.
On Sunday, to mark 90 years of the Canadian-Polish Congress, a Polish flag was hoisted in front of Toronto City Hall.
Later in the day, the organisation led a parade through the city centre to mark 232 years since the adoption of Poland’s landmark constitution of May 3, 1791, according to the PAP news agency.
Canada is home to more than 1 million people of Polish descent, half of whom live in the east-central province of Ontario, of which Toronto is the capital, officials told reporters.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, polskieradio.pl