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Acknowledging Our Past to Build Our Future

Agreement-in-Principle between the Government of Canada and the Italian Canadian Community

November 12, 2005

An Agreement-in-Principle between the Government of Canada and the Canadian Italian Community, as represented by the National Congress of Italian Canadians, the National Federation of Canadian Italian Business and Professional Associations, Order Sons of Italy of Canada, and La Fondation communautaire canadienne italienne du Québec.

Preamble

Canada is one of the world's most ethnically and culturally diverse societies and recognizes diversity as a source of strength and innovation. However, Canada's past includes actions that are inconsistent with the values Canadians hold today. As a result of the Second World War, Italians in Canada were designated as enemy aliens. As well, under the authority of an Act of Parliament, some Italians in Canada and some persons of Italian origin were interned.

Members of the Italian Canadian Community have a strong interest in commemorating and educating Canadians on the unique and significant contributions of Italian Canadians to shaping Canada's history. The Government of Canada is committed to learning from the past, and to efforts and resources for a forward-looking approach aimed at strengthening social cohesion and Canadian identity.

To demonstrate its commitment, the Government of Canada, in its 2005 Budget, announced funding of $25 million over three years to the Multiculturalism Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage to acknowledge, commemorate and educate Canadians about the historical experiences of ethnocultural communities affected by wartime measures and immigration restriction. Initiatives funded through this program will seek to highlight the contributions made by impacted communities in the building of our country.

Agreement-in-Principle

The Government of Canada and the Italian Canadian Community have developed this Agreement-in-Principle, premised on the principles of > no compensation ' and 'no apology'. This is a first step in articulating their shared vision for the acknowledgement, commemoration and education of Canadians on the historic experience of Italians in Canada who were designated as enemy aliens and some of which, as well as some persons of Italian origin, were interned. It also highlights the contributions that the Italian Canadian Community has made to building Canada. It is the intention of both parties that a final agreement, including additional funding and an appropriate acknowledgement by the Government of Canada of national internment operations, will be concluded as soon as possible.

Funding

The Government of Canada plans to provide an initial amount of $2.5 million to the National Congress of Italian Canadians Foundation through the Acknowledgment, Commemoration and Education (ACE) Program. The National Congress of Italian Canadians Foundation will co-ordinate, in consultation with the National Federation of Canadian Italian Business and Professional Associations, the Order Sons of Italy of Canada and La Fondation communautaire canadienne italienne du Québec, the implementation of commemorative projects over the next three years on behalf of the Italian Canadian Community. This initial amount will enable the community to commence work on forward-looking proposals that will help commemorate their historical experience and educate Canadians about these experiences; highlight and commemorate the contributions that the Italian Canadian Community has made to Canada; and promote cross-cultural understanding and a shared sense of Canadian identity.

Action Plan

The Government of Canada, through the Minister of State (Multiculturalism), and the Italian Canadian Community, through its designated representatives, agree to continue to work together toward a formal agreement to help build a better understanding among all Canadians.

The Government of Canada ' s contribution pursuant to this Agreement-in-Principle is subject to:

1) the approval of the terms and conditions and the funding for the ACE Program by Treasury Board;

2) the annual appropriation by the Parliament of Canada for this purpose;

3) the conclusion of a contribution agreement.

This Agreement-in-Principle shall not be interpreted as a full and final agreement nor as constituting an admission by the Government of Canada of the existence of any legal obligation of the Government of Canada nor as foregoing/limiting any person(s) right to advance or initiate an action/claim against the Government of Canada, nor shall this Agreement-in-Principle be interpreted by any of the signatories as representing the interests of all Italian Canadians.

Signed on: November 12, 2005
at: Montréal, Quebec

For the Government of Canada,

The Honourable Raymond Chan, P.C, M.P., Minister of State (Multiculturalism)

For the Italian Canadian Community,

Dominic Campione
President, National Congress of Italian Canadians

Salvatore Mariani
President, National Federation of Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association Inc.

Vincent J. Bueti
Immediate Past President, Order of Sons of Italy of Canada

Mario Galella
Président, La Fondation communautaire canadienne italienne du Québec Inc.