/EINPresswire.com/ -- OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/27/15 -- This week Canadians commemorate one of the greatest tragedies of the last century: the deaths of millions of Ukrainians who perished as victims of a man-made famine under Stalin from 1932 to 1933. This famine is among the worst crimes against humanity ever perpetrated by a dictatorship.

In 2008, Canada became the first nation to recognize the Ukrainian famine of 1932-33 as an act of genocide. Parliament unanimously passed a bill establishing the fourth Saturday in November as Ukrainian Famine and Genocide ("Holodomor") Memorial Day.

Remembering the Holodomor also pays tribute to the Ukrainian-Canadian community, the third-largest Ukrainian population in the world. Canadians of Ukrainian origin have made invaluable contributions to our country's development for more than a century.

As Minister of Canadian Heritage, I stand with the Ukrainian community and with all Canadians in commemorating the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide of 1932-33.

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Contacts:
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
819-997-7788