Toronto, December 6, 2012 – A travelling exhibit commemorating the experiences of Italian-Canadians who were interned in Canada during the Second World War is set to begin a three-year tour of Canada.
The exhibit, Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Times: Italian Canadian Experiences During World War II, presents through video, audio and text, a rich collection of interviews conducted with those who were interned, as well as with researchers, historians and other members of the community.
Senator Linda Frum attended the launch event today at the Columbus Centre of Toronto, on behalf of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada, under the Community Historical Recognition Program (CHRP), has given a $277,520 contribution to help produce the exhibit. This funding will also help to expand the digital archive of many projects of the Italian internment experiences.
“The wartime internment experienced by those of Italian origin during the Second World War marks an unfortunate chapter in our nation’s history,”
said Senator Frum. “The Government of Canada recognizes the historical experiences of the Italian-Canadian community during that period.”
When war broke out in Europe in September 1939, Canada was governed by wartime emergency measures that had a significant impact on the lives of many Italian Canadians.
The CHRP has made available approximately $4 million for projects to recognize the experiences of the Italian-Canadian community.
The exhibit will be on special preview at the Columbus Centre of Toronto until the end of December 2012 before it begins its three-year Canada-wide tour.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Alexis Pavlich
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada’s economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.
