BY LAURIE HAWN, MP FOR EDMONTON CENTRE

On September 18, 2009, Tim Uppal, Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Sherwood Park, introduced a Private Member’s Bill to establish a Holocaust Memorial in the National Capital Region.  I am pleased that Mr. Uppal has introduced this bill – it is our duty as citizens to never forget the horrible tragedies inflicted upon millions of people who were considered inferior by the malicious perpetrators of this atrocity.

I will speak in support of and vote in favour of Mr. Uppal’s Bill to build a Holocaust Memorial that honours and commemorates all victims of the Holocaust.  This memorial will not only pay tribute to those who were lost, but also to those who helped the victims escape the persecution of the Nazi regime. Because of Mr. Uppal’s efforts to construct a Holocaust Memorial, today’s youth will be able to learn about the tragic event and how important it is to honour the memory of Holocaust victims as part of our collect resolve to never forget.  The memorial will also raise awareness of what can happen when people lose touch with human reason.   It will act as a tool to help future generations learn about the root causes of the Holocaust and its consequences – an understanding which will help to prevent future acts of genocide.

 It is my hope that all Canadians will rally to support Mr. Uppal’s bill, so that it can move swiftly through the House of Commons and be enacted into law.  The bill has support from Members from all parties and it shows how much this Memorial will mean to Canadians from coast to coast. I urge Canadians to lobby their MPs to support this bill.

The idea behind the initiative came from student and Thornhill resident, Laura Grosman.  She wanted to a place to reflect on those whose lives were cut short the brutality of the Nazis as well as to honour the Canadians who fought against state-sanctioned hatred and anti-Semitism.  She is the founder of the Canadian Memorial Holocaust Project.  For anyone wanting to get involved with this very worthwhile initiative, you may contact her at 613.552.4735 or email her at l.r.grosman@gmail.com.