Today (April 8), B.C. Premier John Horgan issued the following statement for Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Memorial Day:

"On this truly solemn day, British Columbians join people around the world in honouring the six million Jewish lives lost—along with millions of others targeted by the Nazis because of their ethnicity, sexual identity or disability—during the Holocaust. We also pay tribute to the community of Holocaust survivors.

"While COVID-19 prevents us from gathering as we normally would to commemorate Yom HaShoah, it is important we still gather to remember, honour, and give strength. Online Holocaust Remembrance Day events have been organized to allow people to gather virtually and safely.

"As we remember the past, we recognize Jewish people around the world still face threats of violence, discrimination, and anti-Semitism today. Let us continue to remember, teach young people, and speak out against anti-Semitism whenever we see it.”

B.C. held a livestreamed Yom HaShoah ceremony at the Parliament Buildings in Victoria and the Jewish Community Centre in Vancouver.

The event began with a virtual meeting with Holocaust survivors, in which Horgan was joined by Finance Minister Selina Robinson. The ceremony included Vancouver-Langara MLA Michael Lee, Rabbi Dan Moscovitz of Temple Sholom, and Holocaust survivor Robert Krell.

Social Development and Poverty Reduction Minister Nicholas Simons contributed a pre-recorded cello performance of "Kol Nidrei", and Anabel Wind, the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, performed "Eli".