Over the last several months I have been working towards building all party support for a Private Member’s bill that I previously introduced. I’m delighted to say that all three parties have agreed to support the timely passing of Bill M225: Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day Act, which I introduced, in slightly revised form, at First Reading today.

This bill would establish the fourth Saturday in November as an official day of remembrance: Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day. Similar legislation has already been passed by the federal parliament, as well as by Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.

Below I reproduce the video and text of the Bill’s introduction. I also append a copy of our accompanying media release which includes quotes from BC NDP MLA Bruce Raulson and BC Liberal MLA Tom Shypitka.

Video of Introduction

Text of Introduction

A. Weaver:

I move that a bill intituled the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day Act, 2019, of which notice has been given in my name on the Order Paper, be introduced and now read a first time.

I’m pleased to be introducing this bill that would establish the fourth Saturday in November as Holodomor Memorial Day throughout British Columbia.

The term “Holodomor” is derived from the words морити голодом (moryty holodom) meaning extermination by hunger. During Holodomor, between 3 and 5 million Ukrainians died as a result of a deliberate and politically-motivated famine in 1932-33.

This Bill, if passed, would allow the fourth Saturday in November to be memorialized by the Legislature as Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day.

Canada is home to the world’s third-largest Ukrainian population behind Ukraine and Russia, with an estimated 1.36 million Ukrainian-Canadians living across the country.

Among them are members of my family. In my family’s case, as part of the collectivization of farms, my дід (grandfather) was shipped to Northern Russia. My Ukrainian mother Ludmilla now lives here in Victoria with my father.

In this tabling I would also like to recognize the Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology for his continued efforts to have Holodomor recognized in this House.

Motion approved.

A. Weaver: I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill M225, Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day Act 2019, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Media Release

Weaver introduces private member’s bill for Holodomor Day

BC to recognize the millions of
Ukrainians killed in man-made famine

For immediate release
Oct. 23, 2019

VICTORIA, B.C. – B.C. Green Leader Andrew Weaver in collaboration with Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology, honoured all survivors of the Ukrainian famine and genocide, also known as the Holodomor, by introducing legislation to enshrine a day of remembrance in the province for all time.

“By enshrining Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day as an officially designated day in British Columbia, we are acknowledging and honouring the millions of people who were victims of this deliberate political strategy of starvation and we are asserting our collective pledge: never again,” said Dr. Andrew Weaver, MLA from Oak Bay- Gordon Head. “My grandfather and his family were survivors of the Holodomor. He and his wife, together with my mother and her siblings, made their way to Canada after the second world war. She told me stories of living in a refugee camp in southern Europe and a chicken coop in France as they made their way to safety.

“Since then thousands more Ukrainians have made Canada their home, adding to the diversity of this great nation and contributing to its culture and prosperity. I am proud to be counted among the descendants who have made British Columbia their home.”

While the government of Canada has legislation recognizing this day, B.C. has never formally had its own legislation recognizing this day. This bill is the result of the B.C. Green Caucus’ collaboration with the Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology, and will be implemented by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and reflects shared values.

“This legislation creating a memorial day for the victims and survivors of the Holodomor is the culmination of efforts spanning many years, starting with a private member’s bill I introduced back in 2009,” said Minister Ralston. “It is important that we take this time to reflect on this atrocity and pay homage to the survivors and their descendants living in B.C. who contribute so much to the strength and prosperity of this great province.”

“As we mourn the lives lost from one of the most heinous acts in history, we commit to stand together against hatred and violence in all its forms,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “The official declaration of Holodomor Memorial Day in B.C. speaks to the determination and leadership of our government to learn from this terrible event in Ukrainian history and our resolve to stand up against racism, hate and discrimination here in B.C. and around the world.”

These principles transcend party lines.

“Holodomor Memorial Day is a reminder of a dark chapter in history that saw the exile and starvation of millions of Ukrainian men, women and children from 1932-33,” said Tom Shypitka, MLA for Kootenay East. “By commemorating this day here in British Columbia, we are affirming our position with the rest of Canada that we are a place of welcome that remembers the past while striving for a better future. We encourage all British Columbians to remember the victims of the Holodomor on this sombre day.”

Coming together over shared values is the strength of this minority government, and it is what unites all British Columbians.

“This legislation represents our commitment to remember our collective responsibility to challenge hatred and intolerance and to protect the vulnerable people in our society,” Weaver said. “British Columbia is a province that values its diversity and strives to give voice to the many communities that call it home.”

Background

• The Ukrainian Famine and Genocide killed between three and four million Ukrainians between 1932 and 1933 as part of Joseph Stalin’s plan to eliminate a democratic independence movement.
• The atrocities, including the total deaths, were covered up by Soviet authorities for decades.
• The survivors and their descendants have contributed to their communities across Canada and in BC.
• B.C. has annually proclaimed Holodomor Day the fourth Saturday in November under the Federal legislation. This legislation removes the need to annually proclaim this day by designating on the fourth Saturday in November Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day to exist in perpetuity.

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Media contact
Macon L.C.  McGinley
Press Secretary, B.C. Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 |macon.mcginley@leg.bc.ca