Croatian community in Oakville celebrates 50 years of faith, language and identity

Croatia will continue strengthening its ties with its diaspora, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman said during a visit to Canada, where he met with members of the Croatian community and representatives of the Croatian business community.

Ahead of the Ukraine Conference in Toronto, Grlić Radman visited Croatians in Oakville and met with members of the Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce in Toronto.

Half a century of preserving Croatian identity

Together with European Commission Vice-President Dubravka Šuica, Grlić Radman attended Holy Mass at the Holy Trinity Croatian Parish in Oakville, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The minister thanked the parish's priests, nuns, and the wider community for their decades-long efforts to preserve the Croatian language, culture, faith, and identity, as well as for maintaining strong ties with the homeland.

He also extended special thanks to Sisters Bernarda and Bernadette for their longstanding contribution to the parish as they prepare to leave Canada.

Croatian entrepreneurs as a bridge between Croatia and Canada

In Toronto, Grlić Radman met with representatives and members of the Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce to discuss ways of strengthening trade and investment cooperation.

The talks also focused on better connecting Croatia with the capital, expertise, experience, and business networks of the Croatian community in Canada.

Energy, information technology, artificial intelligence, tourism, and the food industry were identified as areas offering particular potential for future cooperation.

Strengthening ties with the Croatian diaspora

Grlić Radman said the Croatian Government would continue supporting economic integration and creating new opportunities for Croatian entrepreneurs.

He also emphasized the importance of the Croatian community in Canada in strengthening relations between the two countries and reaffirmed Croatia's commitment to deepening ties with its diaspora.