On January 27, 2025, the Canadian government, under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s leadership, announced a significant new investment in Holocaust remembrance and the fight against antisemitism. With a commitment to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and honoring survivors, the federal government has earmarked more than $590,000 in funding for two key initiatives in British Columbia as part of the newly established National Holocaust Remembrance Program.
Parliamentary Secretary Taleeb Noormohamed, representing Minister Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, detailed the funding allocation during a press briefing. The Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre is set to receive $467,307 to develop online learning programs that will educate teachers and students across the province about the Holocaust. Meanwhile, the Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island will receive $124,000 to provide interactive training and educational programs on the Holocaust, antisemitism, and the contemporary Jewish experience in Canada.
“These projects are not only about remembering a tragic past but also about equipping our educators and community leaders to confront hate in all its forms,” Noormohamed stated. The funding initiative comes amid alarming increases in hate crimes targeting Jewish communities, with recent Statistics Canada data showing a dramatic rise in antisemitic incidents from 2022 to 2023.
The National Holocaust Remembrance Program, launched with a five-year budget of $5 million and an ongoing annual allocation of $2 million, is a cornerstone of Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate. This comprehensive strategy seeks to leverage more than 20 key federal programs to create a safer, more inclusive society where the lessons of the Holocaust inform the fight against modern-day bigotry.
Leaders from the funded organizations have welcomed the announcement. Hannah Marazzi, Acting Executive Director of the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, highlighted the centre’s role in challenging Holocaust denial and distortion. “With this support, we will develop bilingual online learning programs and create new educational archives that empower both educators and students,” Marazzi explained. Similarly, Coral Grant, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island, underscored the importance of community-based education in preventing hate. “A better understanding of Jewish history and the horrors of the Holocaust equips our police, educators, and community leaders to be proactive upstanders,” Grant said.
The move by the federal government comes at a critical juncture. As antisemitism continues to rise across Canada, these new initiatives signal a determined effort to confront hate head-on, ensuring that the memory of the Holocaust endures and that future generations are educated about its lessons. Through targeted funding and innovative educational programs, Canada is reaffirming its commitment to fostering a society where hate is not only remembered but actively countered.