Bill 61 2008

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 Senate of Canada, 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.

It is appropriate to extend the annual commemoration of the victims of the Holodomor to Ontario.  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.  The fourth Saturday in November in each year is proclaimed Holodomor Memorial Day to commemorate the 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, 2008.

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EXPLANATORY NOTE

The purpose of the Bill is to make the fourth Saturday in November in each year Holodomor Memorial Day.