Madam Speaker, today we rise in the House to remember. Half a century has not erased the memory of the horror of the six million people who were killed in Nazi concentration camps, nor the horror of World War II, which led to this.
Those who fought for the liberation of camps are also remembered today. We remember the families and individuals whose lives were lost in those camps. We admire the strength of those survivors, many of whom came to this country to help, with courage, determination, and strength, to build this country.
As we remember today, there is truly a lesson for us all, a lesson of courage and a reminder of how quickly prejudices and biases can turn to hate. As Canadians, we must be diligent and we must fight prejudice and racism. However, it is not enough to simply issue statements. We cannot be silent in our communities, in our homes or in our country. Silence and complacency are not options. We cannot rest in the assurance that the horrors of the concentration camps are simply a part of history.
We must be vigilant, because right wing extremism and fascism still exist in every country. We must ensure full application of the laws which prohibit hate, and work together to promote a strong and healthy democracy in Canada.
The Holocaust in many ways is something that happened to all of us. It is a part of our history and it is something we are all responsible for in ensuring that peace, justice, and freedom in every country in this world are more than just words.
Canada will remember. The world will remember.