Statement from Premier Pillai on Holocaust Remembrance Day

Premier Pillai has released the following statement:

“April 17 marks Yom HaShoah or Holocaust Remembrance Day, and is observed by the international Jewish community as a day of commemoration of the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution. Jewish communities commemorate this solemn day each year, which corresponds to the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.

“The Yukon has a small but growing Jewish population with an active cultural association. Today we join them in pausing to reflect on lives lost, lives cut short, and lives that never were because of the hateful ideology of the Nazis.

“Despite positive progress, anti-Semitism continues to persist in Canada and around the world. We must stand together to address intolerance and ensure that such hate is not allowed to persist in our communities. I was pleased that Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee gave notice of a motion last month to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of anti-Semitism as a way to ensure that our laws and our legislature use language that reflects international consensus.

“I join with others in remembering the staggering loss of Jewish lives during the Holocaust. May their memories be a blessing to their families and loved ones. I remain committed to promoting diversity and building a community where everyone can thrive. Together, we will create an inclusive society.”