The National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa was lit up in yellow for International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Thursday night. (Jackie Perez/CTV News Ottawa)
A small group gathered at the National Holocaust Monument Thursday night for a ceremony and special candle lighting for International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The evening commemorated the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions more who suffered under Nazism.
"The brain power that was lost as a contribution to the world- those things cannot happen again," said Dr. Agnes Klein, a child survivor of the Holocaust. "It needs to be a lesson to the world forever."
She addressed the crowd at Thursday night’s ceremony that included members of the Jewish community, national leaders, and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson. The event was kept small to follow COVID-19 protocols but was live streamed. Those who were present, spoke out against anti-Semitism.
"Today and always we stand united against anti-Semitism and we commit to finding all forms of extremism and we remember," Watson said.
The National Holocaust Monument wasn’t the only landmark lit in yellow. The National Hallery and Ottawa’s postsecondary institutions were also part of the cross-Canada “we remember” initiative. The yellow symbolizing a candle, a light in the darkness.
"Remembering the Holocaust and getting rid of discrimination takes a lot of education and a lot of people remembering," said Klein. "Making sure things like this never happen again."
Leaders in the Jewish community say now more than ever, Holocaust remembrance and anti-Semitism education is important.
"We have to use this as a teachable moment," said Andrea Freemdna, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. "Fighting hatred and injustice and anti-Semitism is all our responsibilities and we have to push back.
“Each of us has the ability to be that light into the darkness."
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Quebec politicians were not pleased with the federal Liberals' comments on Bill 96 and Bill 21, firing back with a slew of protests and even raising sovereignty as the solution.
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Sault Ste. Marie city council is asking staff to prepare a report on group homes. This comes after Ward 1 Coun. Paul Christian brought forward concerns this week about two such homes.
There are currently a dozen statues at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes property, and all are from the 1950s.
It’s a sign that summer is on the horizon. Farmers’ markets are opening in cities and towns across the north.
Victoria Day weekend fireworks violations spark new effort to implement a ban.
Two men and one woman are facing charges Wednesday after police say their vehicle struck a London police cruiser and then the suspects fled the scene on foot over the weekend.
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A new report out of the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) has found that most Manitobans have positive experiences with the health-care system in hospitals.
The Manitoba Government could turn to the military for help as it struggles with staffing shortages, overcrowding, and in some cases, temporary closures of emergency rooms.
The Manitoba government is hinting it may allow more alcohol sales through private channels to boost customer convenience.
There was both a sellout crowd inside and a demonstration outside of the Centre in the Square Wednesday evening for speaker Jordan Peterson.
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The City of Calgary has recruited three people from the commercial real-estate sector in an effort to get a new event centre to replace the aging Scotiabank Saddledome.
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Those who haven't received their bill by the first week of June are asked to contact 311.
The Prime Minister toured the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, which is working to develop a COVID-19 vaccine.
Saskatoon Police Service says that the use and presence of potent new synthetic opioids known as nitazenes are difficult to track and monitor.
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