Yom Hashoah in Canada
In 2003, Canada recognized Holocaust Memorial Day on a national
level. The ten Canadian provinces have also passed legislation
making Holocaust Remembrance (Yom Hashoah) Day an official day on
their provincial calendars.
In advocating for the various provincial statutes, the case was
made that official recognition of Yom Hashoah Day is an excellent
way not only to memorialize the Holocaust but also to promote
awareness of the evils of racism, antisemitism and all forms of
discrimination, to enhance our appreciation for diversity in
Canada's multicultural society and to pay respect to Canada's
veterans who fought against Nazi tyranny and, in all too many
cases, paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
Canada
Bill C-459 - An Act to establish
Holocaust Memorial Day
Oct 21, 2003
2nd Session, 37th Parliament
51-52 Elizabeth II, 2002-2003
House of Commons of Canada
Preamble
WHEREAS the Holocaust refers to a specific event in history,
namely, the deliberate and planned state-sponsored persecution and
annihilation of European Jewry by the Nazis and their collaborators
between 1933 and 1945;
WHEREAS six million Jewish men, women and children perished under
this policy of hatred and genocide;
WHEREAS millions of others were victims of that policy because of
their physical or mental disabilities, race, religion or sexual
orientation;
WHEREAS the terrible destruction and pain of the Holocaust must
never be forgotten;
WHEREAS systematic violence, genocide, persecution, racism and
hatred continue to occur throughout the world;
WHEREAS the House of Commons is committed to using legislation,
education and example to protect Canadians from violence, racism
and hatred and to stopping those who foster or commit crimes of
violence, racism and hatred;
AND WHEREAS Yom ha-Shoah or the Day of the Holocaust, as
determined in each year by the Jewish lunar calendar, is an
opportune day to reflect on and educate about the enduring lessons
of the Holocaust and to reaffirm a commitment to uphold human
rights;
NOW, THEREFORE, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
SHORT TITLE
1. This Act may be cited as the Holocaust Memorial Day Act.
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY
2. Yom ha-Shoah or the Day of the Holocaust, as determined in each
year by the Jewish lunar calendar, is proclaimed as "Holocaust
Memorial Day - Yom ha-Shoah."