Background
Assadourian, Sarkis was born on January 25, 1948 in Aleppo, Syria. Arrived in Canada, 1970.
politician member of the House of Commons of Canada
Assadourian, Sarkis was born on January 25, 1948 in Aleppo, Syria. Arrived in Canada, 1970.
He studied painting at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts.
He became the first Armenian-Canadian to be elected to the House of Commons, with great support of the Armenian community of Toronto. His family emigrated soon after. In 1970 he moved to Toronto where he worked as a property manager.
He also worked as a consultant on multiculturalism for both the provincial and federal governments. In 1988, Assadourian entered politics as the Liberal candidate in the riding of Don Valley North. During the campaign debate he said that he wanted, "honest and open government, for a change." The New Democratic Party candidate, Anton Kuerti reminded him that the Tories were elected in 1984 criticising the Liberals on the same issue.
Assadourian stated that he was staunchly against abortion which was a hot button issue during the campaign. He lost the election to Conservative candidate Barbara Greene by 604 votes. In 1997, Assadourian moved seats to Brampton Centre.
In 2003, he served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. He did not run in the 2004 election. Assadourian ran in the 2010 Richmond Hill Municipal Elections in Ward 3.
He placed fifth out of seven candidates. He now serves as a Citizenship Judge in Toronto.
Member Liberal Task Force on De-industrialization of Canada, Ontario Advisory Council on Multiculturalism, Canada Consultative Council on Multiculturalism;past treasurer, board directors Willowdale Cmty. Legal Superior vena cava syndrome. Board directors Armenian Cmty.
Center, founder Outstanding Canada award. Fundraiser Heart and Stroke Foundation, Arthritis Society, others. Honorary member Armenian Relief Society, Canada Armenian Business Council, Syro-Canada Union of Montreal.
M. Zaza Assadourian; children: Raffi, Tamar, Vatche, Gacia.