Toronto (December 13, 2019) - A motion initiated by Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) calling on the City of Toronto to adopt an annual International Holocaust Remembrance Day has officially made its way to city council. The motion is the result of significant advocacy efforts at City Hall made by FSWC to see the municipal government commemorate this important day.

The motion was submitted by Councillor Mike Colle and will be voted on by council next week.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed around the world on January 27 to commemorate the genocide of Jews and other groups by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. The day marks the anniversary of the 1945 liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp.  

“Now more than ever, we as a community must remain committed to teaching and learning about the horrors of the Holocaust,” said Avi Benlolo, President and CEO of FSWC. “It is critical that we commemorate the atrocities of the Holocaust in order to pay respect to its victims and also to ensure that these events are never, ever repeated.”