Since the first introduction back in 2008, I'd like to point out that the government of Ukraine, the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, the Parliament of Canada, the Senate of Canada, the governments of Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and the OSCE-the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe-and the European Union, along with 64 other jurisdictions-previously over 40, now at least 64-have made official condemnation of Holodomor and recognize it as genocide. To that fact, I included in the bill, "On May 29 2008, the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (`Holodomor') Memorial Day Act (Canada) was enacted to recognize the famine as an act of genocide and to establish throughout Canada the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (`Holodomor') Memorial Day on the fourth Saturday in November in each year." I think it's appropriate for us to revisit this because of that particular fact.
I would also like to say that the second reason why this is an important aspect of private members' time, which I have been known to speak very highly of in terms of our support and our opportunity to bring new ideas to this place, is that it's the first time in the history of Ontario that this bill will be sponsored by three people-one New Democrat, the member for Parkdale-High Park, Cheri DiNovo, and the member for Newmarket-Aurora, a Progressive Conservative, Mr. Frank Klees. We're making history today. I think that's a proud moment about private members' time, where we can set aside partisan ideological beliefs and understand that everyone has a right to bring to this place concepts and ideas that all of us can embrace. I'm sure, I'm absolutely confident, that we will be able to embrace this bill with three-party acceptance.
I'd like to introduce today some very important people who educated me and, I know, many of you in this House about the importance of this historic moment: Olexander Danyleiko, the Consul General of Ukraine; Oleh Romanyshyn, the president of the League of Ukrainian Canadians; Mr. Volodymyr Paslavskyi, the executive director of LUC; Borys Mykhaylets, from the LUC executive; Taras Paslavskyi, from the LUC executive; Mr. Orest Steciw, the Holodomor projects coordinator; Chrystyna Bidiak, the president of the League of Ukrainian-Canadian Women; Halyna Vynnyk, from the LUCW executive; Mr. Andrew Gregorovich, Ukrainian National Federation; Oksana Prociuk Ciz, from the Council of Ukrainian Credit Unions of Canada; Mr. Paul Grod, the president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress; Mr. Marc Shwec, the president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Toronto; Valentyna Kuryliw and Mr. Eugene Yakovitch from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Toronto famine genocide committee; and Allan Rewak.
I got through every one of those names and I know I didn't do them justice, but we want to welcome them to our assembly today.
I would also like to bring our attention to the fact that I was very fortunate to meet the First Lady of Ukraine. Her Excellency Kateryna Yushchenko honoured me with an award on November 27, 2008. I explained to her when they gave it to me, "Please give this back to your people." That says it all to me.
I would also like to point out that on June 5, 2007, Borys Wrzesnewskyj, the Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre, played an important part by introducing to the House of Commons in Ottawa a private member's bill, C-450, the Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Remembrance Day Act, that started the discussion. I would also like to honour and thank the Manitoba MP, James Bezan, whose private member's bill was passed on May 29, 2008, so that every fourth Saturday in November of each year is recognized as Ukrainian Famine and Genocide ("Holodomor") Memorial Day across Canada.
I want to quote from a booklet that has been produced by the Ukrainian community. Here's the first quote: "I address you on behalf of a nation that lost about 10 million people as a result of the Holodomor genocide.... We insist that the world learn the truth about all crimes against humanity. This is the only way we can ensure that criminals will no longer be emboldened by indifference." That's a quote from Viktor Yushchenko, the President of Ukraine.
Here is another quote from the booklet: "Children comprised one third of all of the Holodomor victims in Ukraine. Large numbers of children after that were orphaned and became homeless."
Here's one that I know my friend Frank Klees would relish, not because it's a bad thing but because it represents something he's trying to do: "I speak of a horrendous crime that was committed in cold blood by the rulers of that period. The memories of this tragedy must guide the feelings and actions of Ukrainians." It was an address by Pope John Paul II to the Ukrainians on November 23, 2003, on the 70th commemoration of the Holodomor.
I think there are going to be some fabulous words spoken today, and I understand why we say them. The third reason why I think it's important for us to discuss this topic: It's not something new; it's something that we have to continue to do, and that is to speak of the unspeakable. Those who knew were forced not to tell or participated in holding back the truth. Those days need to be removed.
I'm honoured to speak today on our private member's bill, Bill 147. First, I wish to thank and acknowledge my former intern Matt; my intern who just moved to the opposition, Emma; my LA, Susan Ho; and my EA, Chris Yaccato, for their support, dedication and hard work in presenting this bill. I'd like to thank them, all of them, including the introduced guests, for bringing the depth of this issue to my attention and to my knowledge.
For many here today, in particular the Holodomor survivors, there is no need to state the bill's significance and obvious conclusion. We know that the survivors have bitter memories, tearful memories, many recollections of personal tragedy. You will recall people you knew, family and friends who died, entire communities that no longer exist. Now, across the years, you have to have your grief brought back to you. Little boys and girls who are now in their later years still cry at the name Holodomor.
Today, and every day, we pay tribute to those survivors and especially those who died. The second reading of this bill is important for those who experienced the famine, but it's just as important for those who don't know about famine, who don't know about the tyranny of oppression. Too many Ontarians have no personal experience of forced, man-made famine or tyranny and no way of knowing the anguish that is associated with it. Unfortunately, we do know that there are some Ontarians who do understand that. They've lived through that circumstance.
For many of my colleagues and those who are watching at home, the Holodomor is unfamiliar as a human tragedy. But you've heard the name Joseph Stalin. Joseph Stalin did this. His followers did this. It's undeniable. What I learned over the last year or so-those who were doing the research in locked archives to hide the truth unlocked the door and began to tell us the actual plan to wipe a people out, the formation of the collectives, which brought me stories that I find the most reprehensible, about children.
Parents of those children sent them out to try to find food. Those children would be found in ditches, legs as thin as fingers, bloated stomachs, outreaching cheeks, never to be seen again, lying dead and alone in a ditch. Other unspeakable moments took place; most of us, when we have done our research, realize how catastrophic this was. Children in the collectives who could hold a few grains in their hands that wouldn't fill a shot glass would disappear and never be seen again. Adults were shot on the spot if they dared try to take some of that grain to feed their family. But they risked it. And for those who did receive a ration, they would often save other people's lives by thinning out what they were getting for their family. That tells me of the humanity that was in existence inside of the insanity. All of this took place in 1932-33 with a regime that kept it quiet, and those who knew didn't tell anybody.
It is time. It's time for each and every one of us to educate not only ourselves, but to stand up and work with these fine men and women to say that the world must know. I honour them, I praise them and I thank them for the work that they continue to do to ensure that we never allow this to happen again. Have you heard that before: "Let us never let this happen again"? How many times do we have to hear that before we learn that we must respect each other, that we must never use power in a way that allows 10 million people to be starved to death on purpose?