GOLDRING SUPPORTS RECOGNITION OF THE INJUSTICE OF THE ITALIAN INTERNMENT

Ottawa - Peter Goldring, Member of Parliament for Edmonton East, has voted for a Private Member’s Bill calling on Canada to recognize the injustice that was done to persons of Italian origin by the internment of many during the Second World War.

Bill C-302, The Italian-Canadian Recognition and Restitution Act, was adopted by the House of Commons April 28 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

“It is not re-writing history to say that at times in the past actions were taken that in retrospect we regret,” Mr. Goldring says. “Canada as a country has already acknowledged that we have not always treated all of our citizens with fairness and equality. That is why in the past we have recognized the injustice of the internment of Japanese-Canadians and Ukrainian-Canadians, as well as the injustices suffered by First Nations communities in the residential schools.

“Designating Canadian citizens of Italian origin as ‘enemy aliens’ and thus interning many may have seemed right during wartime, however history has shown the designation to have been an over-reaction. Recognizing this regrettable act will allow the Italian-Canadian community to put this issue to rest.”

Bill C-302 suggests the creation of an educational fund in order to inform Canadians about internment and the issuing of a commemorative postage stamp.