OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that Canada will mark a National Day of Mourning on Thursday, April 15, following the death of Lech Kaczynski, President of Poland, who died in a plane crash on Saturday along with Polish political, military and civil society leaders.
 
“In the face of the tragic death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, First Lady Maria Kaczynska and other Polish leaders, Canadians stand in solidarity with the people of Poland and the Polish-Canadian community as they deal with these profound losses,” said Prime Minister Harper.  “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those who perished in this terrible tragedy, and to the Polish people for their loss.”
 
In a call with Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland, Prime Minister Harper personally conveyed his condolences and confirmed he will attend a Memorial Mass in Mississauga on April 15 at Saint Maximilian Kolbe Roman Catholic Church.  Other plans to commemorate this day, including activities in Parliament, will be announced shortly. 
 
Almost one million Canadians are of Polish origin.  Strong people-to-people links between the two countries are built on Canada’s thriving Polish communities.