FRANCAIS

April 25, 2000

In tribute to the six million Jews killed during the Second World War, Becky Barrett, minister of labour and minister responsible for multiculturalism, today introduced proposed legislation which would recognize Holocaust Memorial Day, "Yom Hashoah," in Manitoba.

Yom Hashoah is an internationally observed day recognizing the deliberate destruction of approximately six million Jewish men, women and children in Europe by the Nazis and their supporters during the Second World War, 1939-1945.

"The murder of millions of people for simply being Jewish was a crime against humanity," said Barrett. "This brutal genocide must never be allowed to fade from our memory and that is why we wish to set aside this day to remind each generation of this tragic event."

Under the proposed legislation, the actual day of observance would be established according to the Jewish lunar calendar each year. This year, the Memorial Day would be observed on May 2. Four other Canadian provinces--British Columbia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick--have enacted similar legislation.

"Our Jewish community has played a significant role in the building of this province, and Manitobans of every origin are honoured to share in this most sacred remembrance," said Barrett. "We must remember this bitter past as part of our shared struggle against violence, hatred, persecution and racism everywhere."

In 1990, a Holocaust memorial bearing the names of victims was erected on the grounds of the legislature to commemorate the loss to the Jewish people. Various ceremonies and activities marking Yom Hashoah will be held throughout the Jewish community during the week of April 29 - May 5.

- 30 -