441-00632 Justice
Petition to the Government of Canada
Whereas:
Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the rule of law and respect for human rights and democracy;
According to Bill C-313, it is in the interest of all Canadians to prevent the display or sale of symbols or emblems such as the Nazi swastika and the Ku Klux Klan's insignia, flags such as the standards of Germany between the years 1933 to 1945 and those of the Confederate States of America between the years 1861 to 1865 and uniforms, including the German and Confederate States of America military dress of those periods, as well as the hoods and robes of the Ku Klux Klan. The "V" and "Z" symbols as well as the Ribbon of Saint George used by the Russian military is used in the same manner, to promote genocide of Ukrainians and support Russia's invasion;
There have been a number of appearances of "V" and "Z" symbols, as well as the Ribbon of Saint George in Canada. They appeared on social media profiles of individuals and merchandise sold by businesses within Canada. One of the largest cases happened on April 1st when The University of Waterloo tweeted that "hateful symbols and vandalism related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine" appeared on its campus;
According to the Criminal Code (sections 318-320), every person who advocates or promotes genocide is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years. Therefore, the "V" and "Z" symbols as well as the Ribbon of Saint George that is used by people in Canada to advocate for or promote genocide in Ukraine should also be responsible in the eyes of law;
Russia committed war crimes in many cities in Ukraine, including Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel, Mariupol, Kyiv, Kharkiv, and others. By not banning the "V" and "Z" symbols as well as the Ribbon of Saint George, Canada is not fully acknowledging that there's an ongoing genocide of the Ukrainian people;
Many countries, including Germany, Moldova, Latvia, have already banned these hateful symbols and
Ukraine called on other countries to ban these hateful symbols, and Canada should show support.
We, the undersigned, citizens and permanent residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:
1. Officially declare the ban of the "V" and "Z" symbols as well as the Ribbon of Saint George;
2. Add the "V" and "Z" symbols as well as the Ribbon of Saint George to Bill C-313 and ban them as symbols of hate;
3. Take action against residents, businesses and organizations that promote these symbols, using sections 318-320 of the Criminal Code; and
4. Investigate cases that include promotions of those symbols by residents, businesses or organizations.
Whereas:
Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the rule of law and respect for human rights and democracy;
According to Bill C-313, it is in the interest of all Canadians to prevent the display or sale of symbols or emblems such as the Nazi swastika and the Ku Klux Klan's insignia, flags such as the standards of Germany between the years 1933 to 1945 and those of the Confederate States of America between the years 1861 to 1865 and uniforms, including the German and Confederate States of America military dress of those periods, as well as the hoods and robes of the Ku Klux Klan. The "V" and "Z" symbols as well as the Ribbon of Saint George used by the Russian military is used in the same manner, to promote genocide of Ukrainians and support Russia's invasion;
There have been a number of appearances of "V" and "Z" symbols, as well as the Ribbon of Saint George in Canada. They appeared on social media profiles of individuals and merchandise sold by businesses within Canada. One of the largest cases happened on April 1st when The University of Waterloo tweeted that "hateful symbols and vandalism related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine" appeared on its campus;
According to the Criminal Code (sections 318-320), every person who advocates or promotes genocide is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years. Therefore, the "V" and "Z" symbols as well as the Ribbon of Saint George that is used by people in Canada to advocate for or promote genocide in Ukraine should also be responsible in the eyes of law;
Russia committed war crimes in many cities in Ukraine, including Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel, Mariupol, Kyiv, Kharkiv, and others. By not banning the "V" and "Z" symbols as well as the Ribbon of Saint George, Canada is not fully acknowledging that there's an ongoing genocide of the Ukrainian people;
Many countries, including Germany, Moldova, Latvia, have already banned these hateful symbols and
Ukraine called on other countries to ban these hateful symbols, and Canada should show support.
We, the undersigned, citizens and permanent residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:
1. Officially declare the ban of the "V" and "Z" symbols as well as the Ribbon of Saint George;
2. Add the "V" and "Z" symbols as well as the Ribbon of Saint George to Bill C-313 and ban them as symbols of hate;
3. Take action against residents, businesses and organizations that promote these symbols, using sections 318-320 of the Criminal Code; and
4. Investigate cases that include promotions of those symbols by residents, businesses or organizations.