Mr. Speaker, today we commemorate and honour those Armenians who perished in one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century. We recall the horror, 99 years ago, when 1.5 million Armenians were massacred or marched to their deaths in the final days of the Ottoman Empire. We grieve for the lives lost and the suffering endured by those men, women, and children. We are joined in solemn commemoration by thousands here in Canada, and millions across the world.
The New Democratic Party has been consistent regarding the history of what occurred in 1915, and a full, frank, and just acknowledgment of the facts is vital for nations to heal going forward. Peoples and nations are stronger and build a foundation for a more just and tolerant future by acknowledging and reckoning the painful elements of the past.
As we recall the horror of Meds Yeghern, in doing so we remind ourselves of our shared commitment to ensuring that such dark chapters of human history are never repeated.