This Act creates a National Holocaust Monument and assigns the Minister and Council specific tasks for establishing, designing, funding, reporting on, and transferring remaining funds for it.
An Act to establish a National Holocaust Monument Preamble Whereas there is no public monument to honour all of the victims and Canadian survivors of the Holocaust in the National Capital Region; Whereas Hitler’s plan to exterminate the Jews of Europe led to the murder of six million men, women and children; Whereas the Nazis sought to eliminate vulnerable groups such as disabled persons, the Roma and homosexuals in their bid to establish the hegemony of the Aryan race; Whereas it is important to ensure that the Holocaust continues to have a permanent place in our nation’s consciousness and memory; Whereas we have an obligation to honour the memory of Holocaust victims as part of our collective resolve to never forget; Whereas the establishment of a national monument shall forever remind Canadians of one of the darkest chapters in human history and of the dangers of state-sanctioned hatred and anti-Semitism; And whereas a national monument shall act as a tool to help future generations learn about the root causes of the Holocaust and its consequences in order to help prevent future acts of genocide; Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: Short title This Act may be cited as the National Holocaust Monument Act. Definitions The following definitions apply in this Act. Council means the National Holocaust Monument Development Council established by the Minister under section 4. (Conseil) Minister means the Minister of Canadian Heritage. (ministre) Monument means the National Holocaust Monument referred to in section 3. (Monument) public land means an area of land owned by the Crown that is accessible to the public at all times. (terrain public) Establishment of Holocaust Monument A National Holocaust Monument shall be established to commemorate the victims and Canadian survivors of the Holocaust. Council to be established Within one year after the coming into force of this Act, the Minister shall establish a council, to be referred to as the National Holocaust Monument Development Council, composed of not more than five members. Selection process The Minister shall hold an open application process whereby members of the public who possess a strong interest in, connection to, or familiarity with the Holocaust may apply to the Minister to become Council members. No remuneration for Council members The members of the Council are not entitled to be paid any remuneration for acting as Council members. By-laws The Council shall adopt by-laws to carry out its functions under this Act. Design and location of Monument The Minister, in cooperation with the Council, shall oversee the planning and design of the Monument; choose a suitable area of public land in the National Capital Region for the Monument to be located; and hold public consultations and take into account the recommendations of the public when making any decision under paragraph (a) or (b). Construction of Monument The Minister shall be responsible for the construction of the Monument. Fundraising campaign The Council shall spearhead a fundraising campaign to cover the cost of constructing the Monument. Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada may assist the Council in the performance of its functions under this Act. Contribution of funds Nothing shall prevent the Minister from contributing funds for the cost of planning, designing, contructing and installing the Monument. Three years The Monument shall be completed not later than three years after the day on which sufficient funds, as determined by the Minister, have been raised under subsection 7(2). Report The Council shall submit an annual report to the Minister and the appropriate Committee of the House on its activities. The first report shall be submitted within 15 months after the day on which the Council is established under section 4. Property of National Capital Commission Once the Monument has been installed it becomes the property of the National Capital Commission. Transfer of funds Once the Monument has become the property of the National Capital Commission, the Council shall transfer to the National Capital Commission any funds remaining from its fundraising campaign.