Mr. Speaker, 66 years ago an act of genocide took place which claimed the lives of millions of innocent people.
The Ukrainian famine genocide of 1932-33 was a manmade famine that ravaged through Ukraine. The Soviet leader of the day, Joseph Stalin, broke the spirit of Ukrainian peasant farmers and forced them under Communist rule. Ukraine was the most productive agricultural area of the Soviet Union and the Stalin regime was determined to crush all vestiges of Ukrainian nationalism.
My riding of Dauphin—Swan River has a large Ukrainian population. In fact, Dauphin is the home of Canada's National Ukrainian Festival. I would add my voice to theirs in condemning this senseless act of aggression.
Tonight a special event is being held in Centre Block to remember the victims of this horrible, inhumane act. Several dignitaries will be in attendance, including the Ambassador of Ukraine. All members of the House are invited to attend this special event.