1. The UCC believes that the legislation dealing with citizenship must ensure that the revocation of annulment of this right is decided by Canadian courts and provide for full appeal rights. Do you agree with the UCC's position concerning citizenship?

The process of revocation of Canadian Citizenship under the proposed Bill C-16 is effectively the same process that has been government policy since 1977. The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration makes the decision to initiate revocation proceedings, and provides written notification of the decision to begin proceedings. The case is then referred to the Federal Court for an independent and impartial review of the facts. If the Court determines there is no basis for revocation, the revocation proceedings end.

If the Court determines that citizenship was obtained by fraud, then the person in question, and members of the public, can make submissions to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, who reviews the submissions before issuing a report and recommendation to Cabinet. The Cabinet then considers all elements of the case, including submissions, before making a decision. The Cabinet will also consider humanitarian and compassionate aspects, factors that the courts do not consider.

Under the revocation process, persons undergoing revocation of citizenship are given adequate opportunity to state their case both administratively and before the Federal Court.

The current revocation process has been challenged on Charter grounds right up to the Supreme Court of Canada, and it has been upheld. The fairness of this process has been clearly recognized by the courts. The decision to revoke citizenship must not be taken lightly. It is important to note that since 1977, Canadian citizenship has been granted to over 3 million people. During that same period, citizenship has been revoked 37 times.

The Liberal government believes that Canada should not be a safe haven for war criminals for those who have been involved in crimes against humanity. Where citizenship has been obtained through serious fraud of misrepresentation -- a fair process of revocation is appropriate.

2. The UCC believes that the Canadian Government should not resort to denaturalization and deportation proceedings to deal with the issue of Canadians suspected of war crimes during the Second World War. Do you agree with UCC's position concerning denaturalization and deportation proceedings?

The Liberal government believes that Canada must not be a safe haven for suspected war criminals or for persons who are suspected of having engaged in reprehensible activity during time of conflict, regardless of time and place.

There has been an ongoing discussion about the appropriate legal means to be used to carry out Canada's desire to not become a safe haven for war criminals. Our government believes that all legal options must be considered, including immigration action, criminal prosecution and extradition. In the course of the 1986 Commission of Inquiry on War Crimes, It was recognized that denaturalization and deportation was a legitimate means to be used against suspected war criminals. In any case, the facts, the nature and quality of the evidence and our international obligations should ultimately govern the approach selected.

Immigration action is the most commonly used process to deal with suspected war criminals or for persons suspected of having engaged in reprehensible activity during time of conflict, regardless of time and place. In dealing with the Second World War period cases, the Government must prove that the subject concealed material information respecting wartime activity, which, if known, would have barred entry to Canada and subsequent acquisition of citizenship. It is readily apparent that both the nature of the revocation proceeding and the potential consequences that flow from the proceeding differ from a criminal prosecution. However, both schemes are legally sound and fair. Our government recognizes that the courts have given a clear indication that they consider the revocation process to be fair.

Canada's new Extradition Act and war crimes legislation, the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act (Bill C-19) make it clear that denaturalization and deportation, extradition and criminal prosecution are all legitimate means of dealing with suspected war criminals and personswho have engaged in reprehensible activities during times of conflict.

3. The UCC believes that the legislation dealing with immigration should provide for full judicial review and recognize in its objectives the multicultural charcater of Canada. Do you agree with the UCC's position concerning immigration?

The Liberal government remains firmly committed to the principles expressed in Bill C-31, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The principles embodied in Bill C-31 would require substantial and complex changes to the current Immigration Act. Some of these changes such as the right of entry into Canada of permanent residents and leave requirements for judicial review, have been the subject of discussions among the various interest groups and individuals.

A new Liberal government would proceed at its earliest opportunity with legislation to reform the Immigration Act, and remains committed to a full and open consultation process in Parliament of an Immigration and Refugee Protection bill. At the House of Commons Standing Committee, all interested groups can participate in this consultation process to air their views on specific changes contained in proposed legislation.

4. The UCC believes that the Government of Canada should provide redress to the Ukrainian Canadian community for the injustices committed during Canada's first national internment operations of 1914-20.

Do you agree with the UCC's position concerning redress to the Ukrainian Canadian community?

The Liberal Party of Canada believes this incident is regrettable. In the crisis atmosphere of war, some ethnocultural communities found their loyalty questioned, their freedom restrained and their lives disrupted. Unfortunately, this incident can not be erased from the history books or from the memory of the people who were involved, or their families. Respecting our history also involves recognizing the fact that Canada was built and forged from every corner of the globe.

Many of the internment camps were situated in our national parks. Canada has recognized this fact by means of interpretive panels at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff National Park. The exhibit highlights the contribution made by internees to the Park.

In developing the exhibit, arks Canada worked closely with Ukrainian national organizations and the local Ukrainian community and supported their initiatives to errect a commemorative statue near the Castle Mountain Site in the Park.

The Multiculturalism Program has been involved in programs that underline the contribution of the Ukrainian community to the development and continuing evolution of Canadian society. Over the past 25 years, it has provided more that $350,000 in funding to Ukrainian-Canadian groups to assist in documenting the historical experiences of Ukrainian internees in Canada. To commemorate the centenary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada, funding in the amount of $1.5 million was provided to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

In recognition of the immigrants who arrived in Canada between 1928 and 1971, Pier 21 in Halifax Hrabour was designated an historic site, and a permanent monument was built to commemorate the contributions of immigrants to the development of Canada. The Liberal government set aside $4.5 million to establish this national testament, which opened to the public in July 1999.

As Canadians, we all share in this responsibility to learn from the lessons of the past. A new Liberal government will continue to take concrete measures to strengthen the fabric of Canadian life by combatting racism, prejudice and discrimination through education, information and the promotion of the value of fairness.

Canada in 2000 is very different from the Canada of the post-World War I and World War II periods. There are now legislation and measures in place to ensure that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past. These include the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Multiculturalism Act and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

5. Do you agree with the UCC's position concerning a Canadian Genocide Museum?

The stories of the victims of the crimes against humanity are among the most powerful stories of the 20th century. The Liberal government firmly believes that Canadians need to hear those stories. The House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage has recommended ways in which the federal government could recognize the victims of genocide and the victims of crimes against humanity through education, research and remembrance. A new Liberal government will continue to carefully consider these recommendations, since it is important that all Canadians learn about those tragic events and understand the lessons of the past.

6. Do you agree with UCC's position concerning multiculturalism?

The Liberal Party is committed to the pursuit of equality of opportunity for all persons and to the enhancement of Canada's unique, diverse and multicultural community. And the Liberal government acts on this committment, through the Multiculturalism Program and the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. In 1996, we reviewed the Multiculturalism Program and redesigned it to better reflect the needs of our communities. These changes enhance the programs core objective, which is to strengthen our society by promoting social justice for Canadians of all racial and cultural backgrounds. The program's three new objectives -- social justice, identity and belonging, and civic participation -- are achieved through partnerships with social agencies, community groups, governments, ethnocultural organizations, and the private sector. Through the Multiculturalism Program, the Liberal government provides funding for local and community projects that focus on preventing and responding to racism and hate and bias activity as well as making our institutions more sensitive, inclusive and representative of Canada's population. The Liberal government has also become an active partner in iniatives geared toward youth, safe communities, strategic partnerships and international activism.

A new Liberal government will continue to encourage Canadians from all backgrounds to join the federal public service and to foster institutional change, by making our institutions more sensitive to provide the tools necessary to build a strong, just and peaceful Canadian society that is ready for the new century.

7. Do you agree with UCC's position concerning the strengthening of Canada's "special relationship" with Ukraine?

The Liberal government is committed to the political and economic reform for which Ukraine has been striving since its independence. Our governments will continue to work together in many ways -- at the United Nations, assisting Ukraine in its transition to a market-based economy and fostering democratic development and good governance. We will build upon our cooperative and friendly relationship and continue to be a source of concrete assistance to the Ukrainian reform effort.