May 25, 2012
Honourable Naomi Yamamoto
Minister of Advanced Education
MLA, North Vancouver-Lonsdale Office
303-126 East 15th Street
North Vancouver, B.C. V7L 2P9
Dear Minister:
Re: B.C. Government Apology to Japanese Canadians
On behalf of the National Association of Japanese Canadians, we would like to commend your action in introducing the motion in the B.C. Legislature on May 7, 2012 and the support by all members of the B.C. Legislature to issue a formal apology to Japanese Canadians for the events during the Second World War.
It is unfortunate that many of our members in local associations in B.C. as well as the NAJC Board of Directors were unaware that the apology was to take place. Many would have liked to witness the action in the Legislature when the apology was made and it was unfortunate that notice was not given prior to the action.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the internment, which is an important historical event that should be recognized by all Canadians. The National Association of Japanese Canadians and the various local associations in B.C. and across Canada have held and will be holding various activities to commemorate this event. As well, 2013 marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Redress Agreement, the formal apology and acknowledgement by the Federal Government of the injustices and violation of human rights.
We appreciate your efforts in reminding the public of these historical events and encouraging them to work to ensure they never happen again.
Sincerely,
Ken Noma,
NAJC President
Lillian Nakamura Maguire
Chair of NAJC Human Rights Committee
CLICK to read response from Naomi Yamamoto, MLA