OTTAWA – The Ukrainian Canadian Congress, in partnership with the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group and the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada, held a solemn commemoration in Canada’s Parliament to mark the 83rd anniversary of the Holodomor in Ukraine.
In 1932-1933 the totalitarian regime of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin sentenced the Ukrainian nation to death by starvation. Millions of children, women and men were condemned to death because of the Ukrainian peoples’ aspiration for independence, their desire to speak their language and maintain their culture and traditions. The fourth Saturday of November is designated Holodomor Memorial Day in Canada.
Linda Duncan, NDP member of Parliament, speaks at the Holodomor commemoration.
Hosted by the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group (CUPFG), the November 29 Holodomor commemoration on the Hill was attended by dozens of Members of Parliament and senators, and the Ukrainian Canadian community of Ottawa.
Borys Wrzesnewskyj (MP, Etobicoke-Center in Ontario), the chair of the CUPFG, was master of ceremonies for the commemoration. Nadia Zelem, daughter of Holodomor survivor Halyna Zelem, lit the ceremonial candle. Mr. Wrzesnewskyj recognized Ian Ihnatowycz, vice-chair of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Advisory Council, community leader and producer of the motion picture “Bitter Harvest,” which tells the story of the Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933.
The Revs. Ihor Okhrimtchouk and Peter Galadza led the opening prayer for the victims of the Holodomor.
MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj, chair of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, addresses the Holodomor remembrance on Parliament Hill.
Chrystia Freeland, minister of international trade, spoke on behalf of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Minister Freeland stated, “Today, we stand with Ukrainians in sombre reflection of this ghastly event and reaffirm our steadfast vow to never stay silent in the face of violence or hate in any form. We honor the memories of the Holodomor victims by ensuring that successive generations never forget the painful lessons of the past.”
Peter Kent, speaking on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, stated, “In 2008, Canada became the first country to officially recognize the Holodomor as genocide. The Ukrainian Famine, perpetrated by the Communist regime of Joseph Stalin, remains one of the most atrocious crimes against humanity ever committed. The Conservative Party of Canada will continue to stand steadfast in support of the people of Ukraine.”
Linda Duncan (MP, Edmonton-Stratchcona in Alberta) spoke on behalf of the New Democratic Party Caucus. “It is important that as elected officials we continue to stand together in speaking against any current atrocities, including in Ukraine. Towards this goal it is equally important that we support the efforts of the Canadian-Ukrainian community to educate Canadians on the atrocities suffered during the Holodomor,” she said.
Minister of International Trade Chrystia Freeland speaks at the Holodomor commemoration in Canada’s Parliament.
Andriy Shevchenko, ambassador of Ukraine to Canada, offered heartfelt remarks on behalf of the government of Ukraine.
Ihor Michalchyshyn, CEO of the UCC, thanked everyone in attendance for participating in the Holodomor Commemoration on the Hill.
Fathers Okhrimtchouk and Galadza led the closing prayer, and those in attendance sang “Vichnaya Pamyat” (Eternal Memory).
Rising in the House of Commons earlier in the day, MP Julie Dzerowicz (Davenport) invited members of Parliament to visit the Holodomor National Awareness Tour Mobile Classroom, (http://www.holodomortour.ca/) which was present on Parliament Hill.
The mobile classroom, a 40-foot RV that has been travelling across Canada, provides students with an innovative learning experience about social justice, human rights and democratic values in relation to the genocide by famine which killed millions of Ukrainians. The government of Canada, through Inter-Action, Canada’s multiculturalism grants and contributions program, has provided a three-year grant valued at $1.5 million to support this project.
Minister of Canadian Heritage Melanie Joly visits the mobile classroom of the Holodomor National Awareness Tour.