Bill C-394

2nd Session, 40th Parliament,

57-58 Elizabeth II, 2009

house of commons of canada

BILL C-394

An Act to acknowledge that persons of Croatian origin were interned in Canada during the First World War and to provide for recognition of this event

Whereas, during the First World War, persons of Croatian origin were interned in Canada under the authority of an Act of Parliament;

Whereas Parliament wishes to express its deep sorrow for those events;

And whereas Parliament acknowledges that those events are deserving of recognition through public education and the promotion of the shared values of multiculturalism, inclusion and mutual respect;

Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

1. This Act may be cited as the Internment of Persons of Croatian Origin Recognition Act.

2. The Government of Canada shall undertake negotiations with the Committee on Education, Culture and Heritage of the Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce towards an agreement concerning measures that may be taken to recognize the internment of persons of Croatian origin in Canada during the First World War.

3. The measures shall have as their objective a better public understanding of

(a) the consequences of ethnic, religious or racial intolerance and discrimination; and

(b) the important role of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the respect and promotion of the values it reflects and the rights and freedoms it guarantees.

4. The measures may include the installation of commemorative plaques at certain places where persons of Croatian origin were interned in Canada during the First World War.

5. The measures may also include the following public education measures:

(a) the exhibition of information concerning internment camps and the contribution made by persons of Croatian origin to the development of Canada; and

(b) the preparation of related educational materials.

6. The Government of Canada and the Committee on Education, Culture and Heritage of the Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce may request the Canada Post Corporation to issue a commemorative stamp or set of stamps.

7. The Government of Canada and the Committee on Education, Culture and Heritage of the Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce may consider any other measure that promotes the objective described in section 3.

8. Negotiations undertaken under section 2 shall not be interpreted as constituting an admission by Her Majesty in right of Canada of the existence of any legal obligation of Her Majesty in right of Canada to any person.