Speeches – 2008
The Honourable Jason Kenney
3rd Annual International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust
Hamilton, Ontario
January 27, 2008
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
(TBC – Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario
Fred Eisenberger, Mayor of Hamilton
Peter George, President of McMaster University
UN Representative, (name to be confirmed)
Walter Kohn, Holocaust Survivor, Nobel Laureate,
Mara Vishniac Kohn, Asper Human Rights and Holocaust Studies Program student)
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am very pleased to join with you to commemorate this day of Holocaust remembrance.
I want to begin by thanking the United Nations Association in Canada for organizing today' s ceremony.
The extermination of millions of Jewish people and others during World War II was a crime against all humanity. And events such as this one are tremendously important, because in remembering the Holocaust and paying tribute to its victims, we renew our commitment to fight against the evils of racism, discrimination, and anti-Semitism.
Raoul Wallenberg Day, which we celebrated on January 17, was another opportunity to renew this commitment. By celebrating the legacy of this great man, Canada' s first honorary citizen, we cannot help but be inspired by his courageous example.
It was three years ago that the United Nations designated January 27 as International Day of Commemoration to honour the victims of the Holocaust.
With the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp on January 27, 1945, people around the world became painfully aware of the Holocaust' s barbaric and premeditated slaughter of millions of innocent men, women, and children.
The international community reacted quickly.
It is not a coincidence that the 60th session of the United Nations General Assembly, at which the day for Holocaust remembrance was designated, corresponds to the 60th year of the defeat of the Nazi regime.
The United Nations was founded with the goal of preventing war. And an important part of achieving this goal is the fight against racism and discrimination. As we know only too well, left unchallenged, actions based on this way of thinking lead to the catastrophic outcome we saw with the Holocaust.
The Government of Canada is committed to combating all forms of racism, discrimination, and anti-Semitism, and to ensuring that the memory of the Holocaust is never lost.
To that end, in 2005 we co-sponsored a resolution on Holocaust Remembrance at the UN General Assembly. In fact, that very resolution led to the January 27 designation that brings us together today.
Last year, Canada co-sponsored another UN resolution that condemns any denial of the Holocaust. This resolution, which was adopted by consensus, emphasizes that to deny the events of the Holocaust is tantamount to the approval of genocide in all its forms.
The Government of Canada believes it is crucial to keep the memory of this devastating period in human history alive in order to learn from it. Only by understanding the causes and consequences of the Holocaust can we ensure that it never happens again.
Last June, I had the privilege of going to Prague to present Canada' s formal application for membership on the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance, and Research.
The focus of this organization is to place the support of political and social leaders behind the need for Holocaust education, remembrance and research, both nationally and internationally.
The Task Force supports the development of public engagement initiatives that will provide future generations with opportunities to learn from the horrendous lessons of the Holocaust and in this way help prevent future acts of genocide.
We are firmly committed to continuing the efforts to become a full member of the Task Force. Canada' s ongoing efforts reflect our Government' s commitment to ensuring that future generations of Canadians have every opportunity to understand the causes of the Holocaust.
And to reflect on its consequences.
Canada was proud to announce that it was downgrading its presence at the Durban Review Conference. Our Government will participate in anti-racism conferences; Durban is not one of these. It is a racism conference.
The Government of Canada will continue to preserve and promote human rights, here at home and around the world. They are an important part of the fundamental values that Canadians embrace, along with democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.
At the same time, it is important to keep in mind that we, as individuals, can make a difference. Each and every one of us has a vital role to play in the fight against racism, discrimination, and anti-Semitism. At home, on the street, in the workplace, or wherever else our daily lives take us, we can and must reject any and all forms of discrimination.
In closing, I want to commend UNAC, and the many other non-governmental organizations involved in Holocaust commemoration, research and education.
Our Government considers you to be important partners in the fight against racism, discrimination, and anti-Semitism, and we appreciate the work you do to further this critical goal.
Thank you.