C-331 1 38 53-54 Elizabeth II 2004-2005

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

Internment of Persons of Ukrainian Origin Recognition Act

2005 11 25 52 2005

SUMMARY

This enactment acknowledges that persons of Ukrainian origin were interned in Canada during the First World War under the authority of

an Act of Parliament and expresses the deep sorrow of Parliament for that event. The enactment provides for negotiations to take place between the Government of Canada and certain specified Ukrainian-Canadian organizations in respect of measures that may be taken to recognize the internment. These measures may include the installation of commemorative plaques as well as public education initiatives. The enactment also allows a request to be made to the Canada Post Corporation for the issue of a commemorative stamp or set of stamps.

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

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

Negotiations

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

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

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

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

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.