Bill 189 2007

An Act to proclaim April 24 Armenian Genocide Memorial Day

Preamble

The Armenian Genocide refers to a specific event in history, namely, the state-sponsored, systematic persecution and annihilation of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire by the Young Turk government of the Ottoman Empire during World War I.

One and a half million Armenians were murdered.  This event affected the lives of all Ontarians.  The Armenian Genocide was covered extensively in the Canadian press and a campaign by the Toronto Globe raised $300,000 to sponsor 100 Armenian orphan boys to come to Canada.  These orphan boys were cared for and educated on a farm in Georgetown, Ontario (now part of the Town of Halton Hills).  They became known as the Georgetown Boys.

The Georgetown Boys contributed greatly to Ontario's development and prosperity.  Many of them served in the Canadian Forces during the Second World War and, through their hard work and contributions, they helped to establish the now thriving Armenian community in Ontario.

It is appropriate to establish an Armenian Genocide Memorial Day in Ontario to honour the victims of the Armenian Genocide and commemorate the contributions of the Georgetown Boys to the Province of Ontario.

Such a day would provide an opportunity to reflect on and educate about the enduring lessons of the Armenian Genocide.  This day shall also provide an opportunity to consider other instances of systematic destruction of peoples, human rights issues and the multicultural reality of modern society.

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

Armenian Genocide Memorial Day

   1.  April 24 of each year is proclaimed as Armenian Genocide Memorial Day.

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 Armenian Genocide Memorial Day Act, 2007.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill proclaims April 24 in each year Armenian Genocide Memorial Day.