January 29, 2014

Canada Supports Holocaust Education

Minister for Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, announced that Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) along with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) are introducing new learning tools to assist educators in promoting Holocaust Remembrance and Education.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day which falls on January 27 was designated by the United Nations General Assembly, to mark the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz- Birkenau, and pays homage to the victims of the horror that took place.

To better assist educators on new approaches when teaching about the Holocaust. The National Film Board of Canada in partnership with Citizenship and Immigration Canada is organizing what will be an International Holocaust Remembrance Day Virtual Classroom. This will be followed by a French language virtual classroom on February 4, 2014.

These professional development events will help educators establish creative approaches to communicate the Holocaust and its lessons on human rights, racism, genocide, democratic values, and citizenship. The virtual classroom will run as a live webcast that enables teachers to interact with Holocaust experts.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada is also partnering with Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre, offering workshops to newcomers to the Greater Toronto Area, Kitchener- Waterloo and Peterborough. In addition, the Azrieli Foundation an organization that publishes memoirs and produces videos made by Holocaust survivors who have immigrated to Canada, will also assist newcomers in these workshops.

Some quick facts that most Canadians might not be aware of are:

• Canada is home to approximately 40,000 Holocaust survivors who resettled across the country after World War II.
• In 2011, Canada was the first country to sign the Ottawa Protocol on Combating Anti-Semitism and international action plan to help nations measure their progress in the fight against Anti- Semitism.
• Canada joined the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) in 2009 and was named Chair in March 2013. Canada will chair the IHRA until February 2014.

“As Canadians, it is our responsibility to learn from these brave individuals and ensure that the horrible events of the Shoah are not forgotten. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Holocaust remembrance and educations across the country and internationally.”

–          Jason Kenny, Minister for Multiculturalism