Bill 97

Bill 972000

An Act to proclaim

Genocide Memorial Week

in Ontario

Preamble

Genocide has been a dark and tragic aspect of the history of humankind. Many of Ontario's citizens have lost loved ones to genocide, and personally felt the horrors of these cruelties.

The citizens of Ontario abhor the genocides that have fouled human history in all ages and parts of the world.

The United Nations commemorates the "International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination" on March 21 of each year, and that day commences the "Week of Solidarity with Peoples Struggling Against Racism and Racial Discrimination".

Canada recognizes April 4 as "Refugee Rights Day".

A Genocide Memorial Week, at this time, would provide all citizens of Ontario an opportunity to mourn the victims and to study and learn from the past to ensure that those injustices do not happen again.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Genocide Memorial Week

1. The week beginning on the fourth Monday in March in each year is proclaimed as Genocide Memorial Week.

Commencement

2.This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3.The short title of this Act is the Genocide Memorial Week Act, 2000.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill proclaims the week beginning on the fourth Monday in March in each year as Genocide Memorial Week.