Liberal MP demands apology for interned Italian Canadians

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OTTAWA (NEWS1130) – A Liberal MP wants Parliament to issue an official apology and pay restitution for the internment of Italian-Canadians during the Second World War. Massimo Pacetti has sponsored a private member’s bill that would require the government to issue a formal apology in the House of Commons.  

Conservative MP Dean Del Mastro says the bill is “very poorly crafted” and  could potentially open the government to lawsuits. “It’s also unnecessary because we have in fact moved on as a country. I believe Canadians of Italian descent have largely moved on beyond this, it was wrong it never should have happened thank goodness we have repealed the War Measures Act and thank goodness this will never happen again.”

The bill would also require the government to set up a commemoration and education fund, worth about $2.5 million, and Canada Post to issue a commemorative stamp.

Pacetti’s bill, which passed second reading last June, is to be put to a final vote next week.

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