Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, released the following statement on Greek Independence Day: 

“Better to live one hour in freedom than 40 years in slavery and bondage.” Every March 25th, Hellenes around the world proudly sing these words from the iconic battle hymn of Greece’s War of Independence.  

“True to the Greek spirit, the words capture the enduring vision of freedom that drove a small but determined people to take up arms and reclaim their independence from their longtime Ottoman oppressors.  

“Today, as Greeks commemorate the end of Greece’s 400-year struggle under occupation, they remember the brave heroes of 1821 and celebrate the restoration of democracy to its birthplace.  

“As Greeks here at home also mark Hellenic Heritage Month, we join them in honouring our shared democratic values and give thanks for the long-standing tradition of freedom that we continue to protect and promote together as allies.   “Long live freedom! Long live Hellas!”