Honourable senators, I rise today to commemorate a moment in history that continues to inspire not just the people of Greece but all those who cherish the principles of freedom and democracy.

On this day, we remember the moment in 1940 when Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas was faced with an ultimatum from Mussolini’s fascist regime. The choice was clear: Submit to occupation or face war. The response from Greece was swift, resolute and unequivocal: Oxi. No.

That single word defined a nation’s courage, proving that moral strength can stand against military might. It was a refusal to surrender to tyranny and a declaration that liberty and dignity are not negotiable.

The resistance that followed turned the tide of history, having helped delay Axis advances and contributing to the ultimate defence of the democratic ideals in Europe.

As a proud Greek Canadian, I know that the spirit of Oxi lives on today in the Hellenic community here in Canada and around the world.

The values that guided Greece in its darkest hours — courage, integrity and liberty — are the same values that generations of Greek immigrants have carried into their Canadian life. These principles are not only Greek values but also core Canadian values, reminding us that freedom, opportunity and the strength of community are not inherited; they are built and defended by each generation. That really is the essence of Oxi Day. It reminds us that the fight for freedom is never finished.

The same test of principle that Greece faced then confronts nations today in different forms and contexts. Each generation must decide whether to stand firm in its values or yield to convenience and complacency.

We live in a world where, too often, we see the temptation to compromise on principles for short-term political or economic gain. Too often, we see leaders in the West turn a blind eye to the actions of authoritarian regimes that trample on human rights and undermine the very values we hold dear.

We cannot afford such compromises. Standing here today, we are reminded that the courage of a single nation can set an example for the world. Oxi Day challenges us to act with conviction, confront injustice wherever it appears and hold fast to the values that define us. Let us carry that spirit forward in the choices we make as citizens and leaders by ensuring that the forces of tyranny are never allowed to gain ground and that freedom and integrity are never sacrificed.

Thank you, colleagues.