[39] Bill 147 Royal Assent (PDF)
Bill 147 2009
An Act to proclaim Holodomor Memorial Day
Preamble
The Holodomor is the name given to the genocide by famine that occurred in Ukraine from 1932 to 1933. As many as 10 million Ukrainians perished as victims of a man-made famine under Joseph Stalin's regime, with 25,000 dying each day at the peak of the famine.
The Government of Ukraine, the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, the Parliament of Canada, the Senate of Canada, the Governments of Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, UNESCO, the United Nations and over 40 other jurisdictions around the world have officially condemned the Holodomor or recognized it as genocide. Ukraine has established the fourth Saturday in November in each year as the annual day to commemorate the victims of the Holodomor.
On May 29, 2008, the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide ("Holodomor") Memorial Day Act (Canada) was enacted to recognize the famine as an act of genocide and to establish throughout Canada the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide ("Holodomor") Memorial Day on the fourth Saturday in November in each year.
To memorialize those who perished, it is appropriate to extend to Ontario the annual commemoration of the victims of the Ukrainian genocide by famine. A memorial day provides an opportunity to reflect on and to educate the public about the enduring lessons of the Holodomor and other crimes against humanity.
Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:
Holodomor Memorial Day
1. Throughout Ontario, the fourth Saturday in November in each year is proclaimed Holodomor Memorial Day to memorialize those who perished as victims of genocide by famine that occurred in Ukraine from 1932 to 1933.
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 Holodomor Memorial Day Act, 2009.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Explanatory Note was written as a reader's aid to Bill 147 and does not form part of the law. Bill 147 has been enacted as Chapter 7 of the Statutes of Ontario, 2009.
The purpose of the Bill is to make the fourth Saturday in November in each year Holodomor Memorial Day.