July 31, 2015—Ottawa—Jason Kenney, Minister for Multiculturalism, announced today that through Inter-Action, Canada’s multiculturalism grants and contributions program, the Government of Canada will support three Holocaust education projects as part of its commitment to supporting Holocaust education, research and remembrance.
- The Vancouver Holocaust Centre Society for Education and Remembrance, which will coordinate “Canada Discovers the Holocaust: A Commemorative Event, Travelling Exhibit and Educational Program.” This project will aim to reach Canadians from coast to coast to coast, to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, with a travel exhibit specifically examining the Canadian military’s role in liberating European Jews and other groups targeted by Nazi Germany. The travelling exhibit is supported by a teaching program.
- The United Jewish Welfare Fund (UJWF) of Toronto, which will undertake the “Holocaust Citizenship Education for Newcomers and Holocaust Educators Study Tour 2015.” This project will allow the UJWF to broaden its educational outreach activities to diverse groups of learners who may not ordinarily have the opportunity to learn about the Holocaust.
- The Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre, which will implement the second phase of “Preserving the Past for the Future: The Canadian Holocaust Oral History Collection.” This is a joint project with the Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre that will allow for the documentation, accessibility and pedagogical use of Holocaust survivor video testimony collections.
Canada is a world leader in Holocaust commemoration and in combating anti-Semitism worldwide. Together with initiatives such as the National Holocaust Monument, these projects will foster a deeper understanding amongst Canadians to help ensure that the horrible events of the Holocaust are never forgotten and that such atrocities can never occur again.
Quick facts
- Canada has been profoundly shaped by approximately 40 000 Holocaust survivors, who resettled across the country after World War II.
- In 2011, Canada was the first country to sign the Ottawa Protocol on Combating Antisemitism, an international action plan to help nations measure their progress in the fight against anti-Semitism.
- Canada joined the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) in 2009 and was named Chair from March 2013 to February 2014.
- During Canada’s IHRA Chairmanship, the government supported a number of educational programs, including four organizations working to preserve Holocaust survivor testimonials.
- The Inter-Action program has two streams: events and projects. The projects stream provides funding for long-term, multi-year community development and engagement projects.
Quote
“The Holocaust stands alone for the sheer cruelty and brutality of the atrocities perpetrated by Nazi Germany. All of us have a solemn responsibility to remember those who perished, to honour and learn from the survivors, and to teach future generations about the horrors of the Shoah. That is why our government is committed to supporting the work of remembrance through efforts such as these three educational projects in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.”
Jason Kenney, Minister for Multiculturalism
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