FOR THE RECORD: Bill C-331 (12/18/05)

FOR THE RECORD: Bill C-331

Following is the full text of Bill C-331, "An act to acknowledge that persons of Ukrainian origin were interned in Canada during the First World War and to provide for recognition of this event," as passed by the Canadian Parliament.

Preamble

Whereas, during the First World War, persons of Ukrainian 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:

Short title

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

Negotiations

2. The Government of Canada shall undertake negotiations with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko towards an agreement concerning measures that may be taken to recognize the internment of persons of Ukrainian origin in Canada during the First World War.

Objective

2.1 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.

Commemorative plaques

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

Public education measures

3. 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 Ukrainian origin to the development of Canada; and

(b) the preparation of related educational materials.

Commemorative postage stamps

4. The Government of Canada and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko may request the Canada Post Corporation to issue a commemorative stamp or set of stamps.

Other commemorative measures

5. The Government of Canada and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko may consider any other measure that promotes the objective described in section 2.1.

Interpretation

6. Negotiations undertaken pursuant to 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.

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