Poland in Canada

On November 10, 2021, the  Polish flag rising ceremony took place in front of the Ontario Parliament on the occasion of the National Independence Day commemorated on November, 11. Consul General Magdalena Pszczółkowska solemnly hoisted the flag of the Republic of Poland during the Polish anthem performed by Karolina Podolak - Soprano.

The ceremony was attended by Ted Arnott - Speaker of the Ontario Parliament, members of the Ontario Parliament and representatives of the Toronto Consular Corps representing France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Spain and Romania. The representatives of the Parliament read the congratulatory letters on the occasion of the National Independence Day, emphasizing the contribution of the Polish community to the development of the province. The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Speaker of Polish Parliament - Piotr Zgorzelski.

Consul General Magdalena Pszczółkowska emphasized the long-term bond between Poland and Canada, thanking the current Members of the Ontario Parliament for their efforts to establish May as Polish Heritage Month in Ontario.

Representatives of numerous Polish diaspora organizations in Canada were present in front of the Ontario Parliament, including the Canadian Polish Congress, the Polish Highlanders Association in Canada, the Polish Scouts Association in Canada, the Polish Teachers Association in Canada, Polish Alliance of Canada, and the Polish Canadian Women’s Federation.

During the afternoon ceremony at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland, national orders were awarded by Consul General Magdalena Pszczółkowska to Mr. Kazimierz Chrapka – Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland and Ms. Anna Barycka – Gold Cross of Merits. After the official part of the ceremony, the gathered guests listened to a piano concert performed by Bartosz Hadała.

Photo: Piotr Figura, Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Toronto