For the last 6 years Ukrainians in British Columbia have been working towards the recognition of the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) of 1932-33 by the BC Legislation and the declaration of a Memorial Day. The first attempt, a Private Members Bill (PMB) in 2009 by Bruce Ralston MLA was stillborn as that particular Session ended before the Third Reading of the Bill.
This month the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) of 1932-33 Memorial Day legislation is again being introduced as a PMB by Bruce Ralston MLA. It is expected that first and second reading will take place on November 17. Since we would like to see this bill enacted before Nov. 22 (the fourth Saturday in November that is the day of this Memorial) it is critical that the Second Reading be followed by a unanimous vote to waive customary procedure and proceed to Third Reading and thus a vote and passage of the Bill.
It is vital that the Ukrainian community contact their MLA’s, especially members of the ruling Liberal Party, during this next week asking that they vote to waive customary procedure and ensure Third reading the same day.
Find your local MLA here: https://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-1-1.htm
E-mails of your local MLA are here: https://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-1-7.htm ; the e-mail to Premier Christy Clark is premier@gov.bc.ca .
E-mailing page (if you prefer) is here: https://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-4.asp
Mailing addresses to your local MLA are here (click on the name of your MLA): https://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-4.asp It is preferable to mail to their Victoria Parliament offices.
A suggested content of your e-mail or letter (please copy/paste if you wish) is as follows:
To the Honourable ______________
I am writing to ask that you support the Private Members Bill, the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day Act 2014 that will be introduced in the Legislature by the Hon. Bruce Ralston on November 17, 2014.
It is vital that you vote to grant unanimous consent to waive the customary rules and allow this Bill to be enacted at a single sitting. This timing is significant because the internationally accepted date for this remembrance this year is November 22 (the fourth Saturday in November).
Similar legislation or specific recognition of the Holodomor as a planned genocide has already been enacted by the Government of Canada, the Legislatures of Ontario, Alberta and Quebec, the United States House of Representatives and Senate, the European Parliament, and over 40 other jurisdictions worldwide.
I thank you for your support.
Signed
_________________
If possible, send a courtesy copy of your e-mail to Premier Christy Clark premier@gov.bc.ca ;Bruce Ralston at b.ralston@leg.bc.ca ; and myself at mirkopetriw@shaw.ca .
PLEASE FORWARD THIS E-MAIL NOTIFICATION TO ALL YOUR B.C. FRIENDS AND E-MAIL CONTACT LISTS to ensure widespread distribution throughout our community
Mirko Petriw
UKRAINIAN CANADIAN CONGRESS – VANCOUVER BRANCH
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