Ottawa, October 23, 2011 – On behalf of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney, Paul Calandra, Member of Parliament for Oak Ridges—Markham, today unveiled a plaque to commemorate the Second World War internment of Italian-Canadians.
Through the Community Historical Recognition Program (CHRP), the Italian-Canadian Community Centre of the National Capital Region received $81,000 to design, construct and install the plaque and a time capsule in Ottawa’s Dante Park. The CHRP contribution is also supporting the creation of a booklet and a website about this chapter of Canadian history.
“The internment of Italian-Canadians during the Second World War under the War Measures Act had a lasting impact,
” said Minister Kenney. “As we reflect on this unfortunate time in our past, we should remember that the communities affected by these actions overcame such burdens and went on to make great contributions to Canada.
”
“We thank the Government of Canada for supporting this important project in the heart of our community,
” said Angelo Filoso, President of the Italian-Canadian Community Centre of the National Capital Region. “Italian Canadians here took part in Canada’s war effort and some even died overseas fighting for their country.
”
Announced in June 2006 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and formally launched in May 2008 by Minister Kenney, the CHRP is a grants and contributions program that funds community commemorative and educational projects related to Canadian historical wartime measures and immigration restrictions.
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