Canadians must learn from the tragedy of the Holocaust and must recommit to never again allow hatred and intolerance to take precedence over understanding, dignity and mutual respect, said Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion on Thursday.
"In Canada, where we have the Charter to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of every citizen, where we are committed to multiculturalism and where we recognize that diversity is one of our strengths, it is difficult to imagine how this period of intolerable cruelty was possible," said Mr. Dion. "But it is our duty to remember and to fight racism, anti-Semitism, hatred, and intolerance wherever we find it, because these are the seeds of genocide."
Mr. Dion spoke at the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem's Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony on Parliament Hill, to commemorate the millions of people – the overwhelming majority of whom were Jews – who were systematically murdered under the Nazi regime.
"I want to thank the Holocaust survivors who have come here today to pay tribute to those who lost their lives and to help all of us remember this dark chapter in history," said Mr. Dion. "I imagine that as both victims and witnesses of the Holocaust you must struggle daily to reconcile two competing desires – the desire to forget the horror with the desire to testify to the truth.
"By coming here today, by remembering and sharing your stories, you are demonstrating an immense amount of courage, for which all Canadians thank you."
Mr. Dion also went on to recognize the organizers of this very important event.
"On behalf of the Liberal Caucus, I want to thank the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem for organizing today's important event," he said. "Your year-round efforts to preserve the history of the Holocaust – through research, education, and occasions of remembrance like this ceremony – will ensure future generations of Canadians do not forget."
James Morton
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