Bill C-459

1st Session, 39th Parliament,

55-56 Elizabeth II, 2006-2007

house of commons of canada

BILL C-459

An Act to establish a Ukrainian Famine and Genocide Memorial Day and to recognize the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-33 as an act of genocide

WHEREAS the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide of 1932-33 was deliberately planned and executed by the Soviet regime under Joseph Stalin to systematically destroy the Ukrainian people’s aspirations for a free and independent Ukraine, and subsequently caused the death of close to 10 million Ukrainians in 1932 and 1933;

WHEREAS 2007-08 marks the 75th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide of 1932-33;

WHEREAS on November 26, 1998, the President of Ukraine issued a Presidential Decree establishing that the fourth Saturday in November be recognized as a National Day of Remembrance for the victims of this mass atrocity;

WHEREAS on June 19, 2003, the Senate of Canada unanimously adopted a motion calling on the Government of Canada to recognize the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-33 as an act of genocide;

WHEREAS on November 28, 2006, U- kraine’s Parliament voted to recognize the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-33 as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people;

WHEREAS the parliaments of Argentina, Austria, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Poland and the United States of America and the senates of Australia and Canada have recognized the forced Ukrainian Famine of 1932-33 as a genocide against the Ukrainian people;

WHEREAS the fourth Saturday in November has been recognized by Ukrainian communities throughout the world as a day to remember the victims of the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide of 1932-33 and to promote the fundamental freedoms of a democratic society;

WHEREAS it is recognized that information about the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide of 1932-33 was suppressed, distorted or destroyed by Soviet authorities;

WHEREAS it is only now that truthful and accurate information is emerging from the former Soviet Union about the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide of 1932-33;

WHEREAS many survivors of the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide of 1932-33 have immigrated to Canada and have made a positive contribution to Canadian society;

WHEREAS Canada, as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of December 9, 1948, condemns all war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocides;

AND WHEREAS Canadians cherish democracy, defend human rights, and value the diversity and multicultural nature of Canadian society;

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 Ukrainian Famine and Genocide Memorial Day Act.

UKRAINIAN FAMINE AND GENOCIDE MEMORIAL DAY

2. Throughout Canada, in each and every year, the fourth Saturday in November shall be known as “Ukrainian Famine and Genocide Memorial Day”.

3. For greater certainty, Ukrainian Famine and Genocide Memorial Day is not a legal holiday or a non-juridical day.