Prime Minister Trudeau Attends Auschwitz Liberation Commemoration in Poland
Kraków, Poland – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp in Kraków, Poland, on Monday. Accompanied by Canadian Holocaust survivors and Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, Deborah Lyons, the Prime Minister joined global leaders and dignitaries to remember the millions of victims of the Holocaust.
During the commemoration, Trudeau emphasized the importance of Holocaust education and combating rising antisemitism. “The Holocaust and the unimaginable cruelty of the Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp must never be forgotten. In Kraków today, we announced a new suite of initiatives to increase Holocaust education and awareness in Canada, and we reaffirmed our solemn vow: Never forget. Never again,” he stated.
The event underscored the need for continued remembrance and education, particularly as global antisemitism increases. Trudeau announced almost $3.4 million in new funding to enhance Holocaust education and awareness initiatives both domestically and internationally. This funding will support organizations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Montréal Holocaust Museum, the Toronto Holocaust Museum, and the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem, among others.
“It started with words.”
Howard Chandler is one of the few survivors of Auschwitz still with us today. His words will stay with me long after our conversation.#HolocaustRemembranceDay pic.twitter.com/dQR1zcI6lA
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 27, 2025
These measures complement the $90.5 million package announced in Budget 2024, designed to combat antisemitism and preserve Holocaust remembrance. The funding will also support efforts to educate against Holocaust denial and distortion, ensuring that future generations understand the atrocities committed during the Holocaust.
Trudeau met with Canadian Holocaust survivors to hear their stories of resilience and courage. He reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to fostering a society where Jewish people can live freely and without fear.
“Let the resilience, courage, and strength of Holocaust survivors inspire us to be better – and do better,” Trudeau said. “Together, let us honour their memories, re-tell their stories, and continue our work to build a world that is more just and more peaceful.”
The Auschwitz-Birkenau camp, liberated by Soviet forces in 1945, remains a powerful symbol of the horrors of the Holocaust. It is estimated that six million Jews, along with 500,000 Roma and Sinti people, millions of Poles, prisoners of war, people with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals were killed by the Nazis.
As the world reflects on this dark chapter in history, Canada’s efforts aim to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust continue to resonate and inspire a global commitment to justice and human rights.
SOURCE PMO