By Alex Aliferis
3/31/2026
Greece sent the Greek Deputy Prime Minister to Canada to deliver a message: the Greek diaspora is a political and economic asset.
Greek Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis was in Canada for the Greek Independence Day celebrations.
For years, Greeks abroad sent money back home to support their parents and relatives. They funded renovations of ancestral homes and helped build up their villages across Greece—supporting churches, plateias (village centers), small businesses, and rebuilding local infrastructure.
I welcome Hatzidakis’ visit to Canada. Greeks in Canada have maintained their identity better than many Greek Americans, who are more dispersed across the United States. There is, unfortunately, a negative attitude among some Greek Americans who never learned to speak, write, or read Greek toward those who embrace the language and culture. I refuse to give up on the Greek language. I love my roots and culture.
There are millions of people of Greek origin living outside Greece—in Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Russia, across Europe, South America, and Asia.
Russia has a flat income tax of 13%. Years ago, Steve Forbes met with Vladimir Putin to discuss lowering tax rates. Putin insisted on 13% rather than 20%, meaning everyone pays the same rate regardless of income. Greece could consider a similar flat income tax. It should study how this policy contributed to Russia’s economic rebuilding after decades of failed Communist rule.
Greek schools are crucial in the diaspora. They help young Greeks learn to speak, write, and read the language, while also teaching Ancient, Byzantine, and Modern Greek history. With the internet, online Greek courses can also benefit Greek Americans of all ages who never learned the language earlier in life. Learning Greek also makes it easier to acquire other languages.
The key is to welcome Greeks abroad—not shun them. They bring access to foreign capital and global networks that can help rebuild Greece through factories, industry, and exports. Tourism alone is not enough. It is seasonal and limited. If ongoing geopolitical tensions—such as a potential conflict involving Iran—escalate, they could severely impact the 2026 tourist season. Greece needs stable, year-round, well-paying jobs so people can stay, build families, and own homes. Developing industries such as energy could also strengthen the economy.
Greece must also simplify documentation and citizenship processes for the diaspora. Many would like to purchase land or property in Greece—whether for part-time living or retirement. While some have ancestral property, transferring ownership is often complicated. Greek bureaucracy makes the process difficult, confusing, and time-consuming.
Finally, corruption remains a serious concern. Strong anti-corruption measures must be enforced. The last thing the diaspora wants is to face demands for unofficial payments to expedite basic services. Many families have firsthand experience with this, including paying extra to ensure proper medical care for loved ones.
I hope Kostis Hatzidakis is sincere, because Greeks abroad love Greece. We simply do not want to be entangled in the corruption and political dysfunction that too often define the system.
Alex Aliferis has worked in Washington D.C. on issues linked to Greece, and Cyprus.
For More Information:
Greece Targets Diaspora in Canada for Investment
https://greekcitytimes.com/2026/03/31/greece-diaspora-investment-canada-hatzidakis/
Flat Tax Revolution by Steve Forbes, 2005
https://www.amazon.com/Flat-Tax-Revolution-Postcard-Abolish/dp/0895260409
Want to Learn Greek? Online School to learn, or strengthen Greek Language Skills
https://thegreekonlineschool.com/
