Canada has taken a first step toward building a Holocaust Memorial near the federal capital, Ottawa, officials said Wednesday.
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird put said he was seeking nominations to a council "to support the National Holocaust Monument, which will be built in the National Capital Region."
With up to five volunteer members, the council should play an role in carrying out the project, including leading fundraising efforts for the cost of the planning, construction and maintenance of the monument.
"Canada remembers the suffering of the millions of innocent victims of the Holocaust," Baird said.
"This monument will not only preserve their memory but will also educate visitors of all faiths and traditions about the causes and risks of hate. Let us use the lessons of the past to remind us of the importance of tolerance, to inspire us to uphold human rights and to prevent future acts of genocide."