OTTAWA, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- The Canadian government plans to recognize the wrong done Italian immigrants who were interned during World War II.
The Toronto Globe and Mail said the proposal includes a $12 million fund for exhibits on the internment and other educational material.
The recognition of Italian internment is part of a $50 million package that involves seven ethnic groups -- including Croatians interned during World War I, Germans interned during World War II and Chinese immigrants charged a head tax. The government has also recognized Canada's failure to admit Jewish refugees on the ship St. Louis, who were also turned away by the United States and eventually forced to return to Europe.
Many of the ethnic groups involved are dissatisfied because there are no formal apologies -- out of fear that would open the government to lawsuits -- and no financial compensation. Canada did pay token compensation to Japanese internees.
