Ottawa, August 23, 2013 — The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister for Multiculturalism, issued the following statement to recognize Black Ribbon Day:
“Today we pay tribute to the memory of the tens of millions of European victims of Communist and Nazi tyranny of the last century.
“It was on this day in 1939 that Nazi Germany and the Communist Soviet Union signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact – the notorious non-aggression treaty that ultimately led to the Second World War.
“The pact paved the way for Nazi and Soviet cooperation in the violent occupation of the lands of many Central and Eastern European countries. The suffering inflicted on the people of these countries by both regimes was so horrific, that this part of Europe has since been referred to by many as the ‘Bloodlands.’
“In 2009, Parliament declared Black Ribbon Day a national day of remembrance. As Minister for Multiculturalism, I would like to commend all community leaders who organize annual Black Ribbon Day events across the country.
“Many Canadians experienced the horrors of these regimes first-hand, or have family members who did. Generations of these victims have escaped to Canada, which has long been a beacon of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
“That is why today the Government of Canada announced that we will partner with the Tribute to Liberty organization to construct a Memorial to Victims of Communism in our nation’s capital. This memorial will stand to remind future generations that this historical evil must never again be allowed to flourish.”
For more information on today’s announcement, visit the news release.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Alexandra Fortier
Minister’s Office
819-994-2482
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
