The federal government has recognized Holodomor genocide since 2008
January 13, 2015—Toronto—Today Jason Kenney, Minister for Multiculturalism, announced funding for the Holodomor National Awareness Tour — an initiative that will raise awareness among Canadians about one of the greatest crimes in human history.
The Holodomor, otherwise known as the “terror-famine in Ukraine,” resulted in the deaths of millions of people in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1932-1933. The famine was the direct result of a planned repression of the people of Ukraine for massively resisting the Stalinist state’s collectivization.
Canada became the first country to officially recognize the Holodomor genocide in 2008.
The Canada Ukraine Foundation will receive an investment of $1,459,728 from Citizenship and Immigration Canada for the cross-Canada tour. The project will educate Canadians of all ages and backgrounds on this tragic historical event and highlight the importance of our shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
The Tour, which is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2015, has also garnered support from organizations such as the Ukrainian Canadian Research and Documentation Centre, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Holodomor Research and Education Consortium.
Quick facts
- More than 10,000 students per year across Canada are expected to experience this interactive program.Funding was provided under Inter-Action, Canada’s multiculturalism grants and contributions program.
- Inter-Action supports the contributions of individuals and communities in building an integrated and socially cohesive society.
- According to the 2011 National Household Survey, more than 1.2 million Canadians reported Ukrainian ethnic origin.
Quotes
“Each year, members of Canada’s Ukrainian community, Parliamentarians and others commemorate the Holodomor at gatherings across the country. In doing so, we honour the memory of those who perished and the legacy of those who survived, including many who found refuge in Canada. It is by remembering the tragedies and atrocities of the past that we can equip ourselves to prevent them from happening again. That is why this national tour, which will reach Canadians of all ages and backgrounds, is an important initiative ”
Jason Kenney, Minister for Multiculturalism
“The Canada Ukraine Foundation and the entire Ukrainian Canadian community would like to sincerely thank the Ministry of Multiculturalism of Canada for approving this grant. This grant will allow our Foundation, in cooperation with its three partners on this project, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), the Ukrainian Canadian Research and Documentation Centre, and the Holodomor Research Educational Consortium, to deliver a mobile tolerance educational centre, and to educate tens of thousands of students, community leaders and the public at large on the historical events of the Holodomor genocide of 1932-1933 and its relevance to democracy, diversity, freedom and human rights in Canada and the world today.”
Bob Onyschuk, Past Chair Canada Ukraine Foundation
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Photos of Minister Kenney available at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/photos/index.asp
Contacts
Alexandra Fortier
Minister’s Office–Minister Kenney
819-994-2482
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
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