The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes today, January 27, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Government stands with the Jewish communities in the province to remember the tragedy of the Holocaust so that, through reflection and learning, humanity will never again be stained by such condemnable actions.
In 2005, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution that declared January 27, the liberation date of Auschwitz Concentration Camp, to be an international day of remembrance for victims of the Holocaust.
This year’s theme for International Holocaust Remembrance Day is ‘One Day’. This theme is represented by the hope that one day, we can take the lessons from the grievous mistakes of the past, to create a world where genocide is a relic of the past.
The Ministerial Committee on Anti-Racism has met and heard from Jewish communities in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. These groups have shared with members of the committee ways in which anti-Semitism can be addressed and prevented in this province.
The Committee encourages anyone who has experienced or witnessed anti-Semitism, or has ideas on how to address and prevent it in Newfoundland and Labrador, to please consider completing the online questionnaire at engagenl.ca. The last date for submissions has been extended until February 28, 2022.
Government will use feedback from in-person and online consultations to inform the development of an anti-racism strategy.
Today is a day to remember the great injustice of the Holocaust and to work towards a province free of all forms of racism and discrimination. We encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to learn more about this horrific chapter in human history, and strive to ensure that current and future generations challenge anti-Semitism in all its forms in the province, through education and awareness.
Sincerely:
Honourable Gerry Byrne, Co-Chair
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
Honourable Lisa Dempster, Co-Chair
Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Education
Honourable John Hogan
Minister of Justice and Public Safety
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Media contacts
Jeremy Reynolds
Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
709-729-2377
jeremyreynolds@gov.nl.ca
Allan Bock
Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
709-896-4449, 899-6446
allanbock@gov.nl.ca
Tina Coffey
Education
709-729-1906, 687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca
Emily-Jane Gillingham
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-5524, 730-4607
emilyjanegillingham@gov.nl.ca
