| The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) recognizes that great demands are being placed on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade due to recent developments in such places as Afghanistan, Iran, the Middle East and North Korea. Nevertheless, we strongly urge the Canadian government to remain both watchful and actively engaged in the situation that is unfolding in Eastern Europe, especially Ukraine – which is of great geo-political importance within the entire region that was formerly part of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact.
Canada has a special relationship with Ukraine, thanks to the more than one million Canadian citizens who have ancestral roots in or living ties to Ukraine. Canada has also been a good friend to Ukraine since the break-up of the USSR, being the first Western country to recognize Ukraine’s independence in 1991 and helping to facilitate the transition of Ukraine to a market economy and constructive membership in the international community. Canada likewise played a leading role in the observer missions to Ukraine during the 2004 and 2006 elections, a matter of great pride for Ukrainian Canadians. We are keen to see this special relationship continue.
Specifically, we would like to raise the following matters:
1. Russian-Ukrainian Relations
Many Canadians of Ukrainian descent closely follow events not only in their ancestral or native land, they also carefully monitor what is happening in bordering countries, particularly Russia. We are deeply disturbed by the direction that Russia seems to be increasingly taking under President Vladimir Putin, who is clearly more committed to restoring Russia’s superpower status and its lost empire than he is on improving the lives of ordinary Russians, combating corruption, or promoting democracy, a free press, and the creation of a civil society. Especially worrying is Russia’s aggressive behaviour toward the former republics of the USSR, and its overt and covert interference in the internal affairs of its neighbours. The rise of Russian nationalism and chauvinism; the creation of an authoritarian state apparatus heavily dominated by KGB functionaries; the suppression of dissent and intimidation of the media; the subordination of the business community to the dictates of the Russian government; and the heinous conduct of Russian policy in the Chechnya conflict, all paint an alarming picture of developments in Russia that have potentially grave consequences for Ukraine. Of course, Russia’s blatant use of energy as an instrument of political blackmail not only against Ukraine, Belarus and Georgia, but the European Community, should raise questions as to Russia’s fitness to belong to the Group of 8, the WTO and other international bodies.The Ukrainian Canadian Congress therefore urges the Canadian government to take a firm stand on these issues, both publicly and through diplomatic channels, to let Russia know that it needs to act responsibly in dealing with its domestic and foreign affairs and to be respectful of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of independent nations like Ukraine. Specifically, we ask that the Canadian government call on Russia to stop using energy as a political weapon; stop meddling in Ukrainian politics by providing financial and other support to pro-Russian parties and organizations in Ukraine; and stop trying to destabilize Ukraine by fomenting separatism in Crimea or using the so-called Transdnister Republic as a military outpost and vehicle of corruption.
2. Standing By Ukraine during its democratic evolution
Ukraine has made significant strides in the development of a sustainable democracy, evolution of a civil society and, for a first time since its independence, a truly independent press. Whereas many former Soviet states have slipped back towards authoritarian rule, Ukraine has moved towards due process and integration with Europe and the World Trade Organization. The UCC congratulates the Minister’s recent condemnation of the sentencing of Belarusian youth activist Zmicer Dashkevich and calling on the Belarusian authorities to honour their commitments to fundamental human rights and basic norms of justice.”An independent, democratic and economically prosperous Ukraine will ensure geo-political stability in a part of the world that brought Canada the Cold War. Canada must take a long-term view of the current situation and continue to support projects that promote democracy and the rule of law in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress therefore encourages the Canadian Government to remain fully committed to its programs nurturing the development of Ukrainian NGO’s and the creation of a civil society.
3. Fostering Canadian Investment in and Trade with Ukraine
Foreign investment in Ukraine from European as well as other countries has continued to grow over the recent years. Canada, however, is doing relatively little to promote investment and trade with Ukraine. Both countries have many common interests and similarities such as sharing strong industrial, natural resource, agricultural and hi-tech sectors. Canada’s economic parallels together with its historical and rich cultural relations, make Ukraine a beachhead into the vast economic markets of Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Russia and Central Asian.To support such opportunities, Canada must:
(a) Assign a permanent Trade Commissioner to the Canadian Embassy in Kyiv; and
(b) Embark on a trade mission to Ukraine to help Canadian companies forge stronger links with their counterparts in Ukraine to help open doors for greater Canadian investment and the development of Canada’s export markets. This mission should be led by the Prime Minister of Canada.
4. Canadian Ukrainian Advisory Council
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress believes that that Canadian Ukrainian Advisory Council (CUAC) has proven to be a very useful vehicle of communication for both the UCC and senior government officials in Foreign Affairs and other Ministries.
The UCC expects that the Government of Canada will continue to support the work of CUAC and requests that the terms of reference of this standing committee be renewed by Minister MacKay.
5. Establishing a Canadian Consulate in Lviv
Many Canadians of Ukrainian descent maintain strong ties to Western Ukraine because it is the region of the country that their ancestors immigrated from between the 1890s and the 1950s. Consequently, theUkrainian Canadian Congress would like to reaffirm its strong belief that their needs to be a Canadian Consulate in Lviv. At the same time we would like to see the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade facilitate the opening of a Ukrainian Consulate in Edmonton, to serve as a more direct link between Western Canada and Ukraine.
6. Funding for Public Diplomacy
We are disappointed that Foreign Affairs has cut the budget for public diplomacy abroad from $25 million to $13.2 million. Arts and culture not only promote awareness of Canadian values and achievements, they also help to grease the wheels of diplomacy, trade, and tourism. If anything, the budget should be increased to be more in line with what other countries spend on advertising their culture internationally. The Australian example could be instructive in this regard.
UCC therefore urges the Canadian government to fully restore the funding provided for cultural exchanges and the promotion of Canadian artists abroad.
7. Immigration
Although matters of immigration do not fall directly within the responsibilities of Foreign Affairs, we would like the Minister to be aware of some serious problems regarding the issuing of visas in Ukraine. The immigration section at the Kyiv Embassy suffers from a poor reputation among both Canadian NGOs and Ukrainians, thus attributing these problems or unpleasant experiences with the Canadian Embassy. This, of course, is detrimental to the image of Canada as a whole, and to Canada’s Embassy in particular.Many NGOs and member organizations that are part of the UCC have shared negative stories with us about the treatment that invited guests, project partners and relatives have received during the processing of their visa applications. The recent reduction of the staff dealing with visas at the Embassy is especially disconcerting, as one of the consistent complaints that we hear is about the length of time it takes to process applications.
We urge the Government of Canada to restore its immigration staff complement in Kyiv and to seek means of expediting the visa granting process.
8. Recognizing the Ukrainian Famine as Genocide
In the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union, it has finally been possible to investigate the litany of crimes and human rights abuses committed by Kremlin officials during the more than seven decades of Communist rule, including the artificial famine of 1932-1933.UCC calls on the Canadian Government to recognize the Holodomor in Soviet Ukraine as an act of genocide committed against the Ukrainian people.
9. Trafficking of Humans
The issue of human trafficking in Canada is of great concern to the Ukrainian Community. Human trafficking has been referred to as modern slavery. Canada is a receiver of trafficked persons as well as a transit country for trafficking victims intended for the United States. It is a high-profit, low risk enterprise, often with strong links to organized crime. Trafficking across international borders affects over 800,000 persons a year, and most are trafficked into the sex trade, either against their will or under coercive circumstances. Of the 800,000 – 80% are women and girls, and up to 50 per cent are minors. Trafficking of humans constitutes horrific acts of slavery, the shameful assault on the dignity of children, the exploitation of the vulnerable for profit.
We appeal to the Canadian government to work diligently to combat this serious crime against humanity. UCC requests the continued support and efforts in this area so that Canada can become a leader in eradicating this degrading vicious crime.
10. Canadians in Ukraine Conference
Finally, we would like to inform the Minister that the UCC is planning to organize a conference and series of round-table sessions in Ottawa in September 2007, at which we would like to invite Minister MacKay to take part as a keynote speaker. This gathering will bring together non-governmental organizations involved in working in Ukraine for discussions on their experiences and accomplishments. Numerous Canadian projects have been successfully undertaken in Ukraine since Ukraine’s independence, and we feel it is important that Canadians take stock of what has been attempted and achieved, while at the same time encouraging greater networking between groups that are active in Ukraine. We also feel that Canadian government officials at Foreign Affairs, CIDA and Immigration would benefit from an opportunity to participate in and share their expertise at such a conference. Furthermore, Canadians deserve to know more about the positive impact that their government and fellow Canadians are having in helping Ukraine develop a market economy and a more democratic political culture. Furthermore, we would gratefully appreciate the moral, logistical and financial support of Foreign Affairs and International Trade for this endeavour.
In conclusion, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress looks forward to continuing our dialogue with the Minister about matters affecting Canada’s relationship with Ukraine and thank him for the opportunity of discussing these specific issues with him at this time. |
