For Immediate Release
Office of the Premier
2006OTP0079-000481
April 25, 2006
VICTORIA – The Province paid tribute today to the more than six million victims of the Holocaust in a ceremony attended by over 90 Holocaust survivors at the provincial legislature to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
“The lingering scar of the Holocaust stands out in human history as a profound and painful reminder that we must all stand united in the goal of stamping out hate and upholding the fundamental rights of every individual,” said Premier Gordon Campbell. “Today is a day to remember and reflect. We are honoured to be joined by those who endured so much and we pledge that their suffering and sacrifice will always be remembered.”
As part of the ceremony, six survivors lit six candles to remember the six million Jewish men, women and children killed by the Nazis between 1933 and 1945. Holocaust Memorial Day is also a day to remember the over five million people who died during the same time period because of their physical or mental disabilities, race, religion or sexual orientation.
“It is through commemoration and remembrance that we pass on the lessons from this dark time in history to future generations,” said Mark Weintraub, chair of the Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region. “We must combat racism and dehumanization in our time, so the millions of people who paid the ultimate price of hatred and fear did not make their sacrifice in vain.”
“In British Columbia, we value the diversity and equality that is demonstrated in our multicultural communities,” said Wally Oppal, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism. “Today we reflect on the painful lessons of history and remind ourselves that hate and racism have no place in our society.”
Holocaust Remembrance Day is marked around the world. The Holocaust Memorial Day Act, passed in 2000, declares Yom Ha’Shoah, the Day of the Holocaust as determined each year by the Jewish calendar, as Holocaust Memorial Day throughout British Columbia.
British Columbia was the second province in Canada to enact legislation marking Holocaust Remembrance Day as an official day on the provincial calendar. Ten provinces have now passed this legislation.
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Media contact: Mike Morton
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 213 8218
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
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