OTTAWA, June 2, 2008 - The Honourable Jason Kenney, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity), today expressed his thanks to James Bezan, Member of Parliament (Selkirk-Interlake), for his initiative in introducing Private Member's Bill C-459, which, having received Royal Assent, will establish Ukrainian Famine and Genocide Memorial Day and recognize the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933 as an act of genocide. Secretary of State Kenney attended the granting of Royal Proclamation to the Bill at the Supreme Court of Canada with Mr. Bezan and Senator Raynell Andreychuk.
"With the passage of this Bill, Canadians can join with Ukrainians and the international community in commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine (Holodomor) of 1932-1933," said Secretary of State Kenney. "Establishing a memorial day and recognizing the Holodomor as an act of genocide is in keeping with our values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, which are supported by this Government and are of importance to all Canadians."
Today, more than 1.2 million people of Ukrainian descent live throughout Canada. Ukrainian Canadians take great pride in both their traditional heritage and their adopted home. They have enriched Canada with their skills, knowledge, and talents for decades, and Canadian society continues to benefit greatly from their contribution.
The Government of Canada would like to acknowledge one such Canadian of Ukrainian descent--Senator Raynell Andreychuk, who has been active in the Upper House, urging recognition of the Ukrainian famine of 1932-1933 as an act of genocide.
The Ukrainian Famine and Genocide Memorial Day will be an excellent opportunity for all Canadians to recall this dark chapter in world history and encourage us to never take for granted that we are a nation whose quality of life sets an example for the rest of the free world.
Information:
Alykhan Velshi
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Jason Kenney, PC, MP
Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity)
alykhan.velshi@pch.gc.ca
