20th Triennial Congress
Report of the Board of Directors
|
|
Ukrainian Canadian Congress 20th Triennial Congress Report of the Board of Directors |
Report of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is pleased to present a triennial report of the activities of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) since October 1998. These activities reflect the priorities and programs articulated by the member organizations, provincial councils and branches of UCC, as well as by the community at large.
The main objective for program delivery was to strengthen the community and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress by enhancing internal and external communication on issues of interest and concern to the Ukrainian Canadian community. The Board of Directors is satisfied to report that it has achieved those objectives within the context of limited financial and human resources.
A. Canadian Issues
A number of concerns expressed within the Ukrainian Canadian community relate to the way we define ourselves as Canadians, the way we view issues of justice, fair play, respect for human rights, tolerance, and diversity. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress attempted to articulate these views in a number of specific areas.
Denaturalization and Deportation
The XIX Triennial Congress of Ukrainian Canadians decided that the federal policy of denaturalization and deportation should be a priority issue of the UCC.
Therefore, the UCC prepared and posted on its web site a memorandum entitled "Denaturalization and Deportation".
Then, on August 25, 1999, UCC’s President, Mr. Eugene Czolij, headed a UCC delegation (First Vice President, Mr. Adrian Boyko, Chair of the Justice Committee, Ms. Mary Szkambara, and President of the Shevchenko Foundation, Mr. Andrew Hladyshevsky), which met the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Honourable A. Anne McLellan, in Edmonton.
During that meeting, UCC’s President explained to the Minister that:
… the Ukrainian Canadian Congress advocates 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 since: (a) they are inadequate to determine a person's guilt or innocence as a war criminal; and (b) they suppose therefore that another country will address this issue in Canada's place. In addition thereto, as applications for immigration and connected documents have been destroyed in large numbers over the years by government employees and the admission into Canada of many post World War II immigrants was discretionary, evidence for denaturalization and deportation proceedings has become largely unavailable. The Government of Canada should rather prosecute Canadian citizens, who are seriously suspected of war crimes, before Canadian courts of criminal jurisdiction in accordance with Canadian criminal law and Canadian standards of evidence in criminal proceedings. The UCC President also reminded the Minister of Justice that: (1) in 1995, the federal government announced that the "key criterion" to initiate procedures against individuals for events that occurred during the Second World War is "the existence of some evidence of individual criminality"; and that (2) in four denaturalization and deportation cases (up to the time of the meeting with the Minister), the Federal Court of Canada concluded that there was no evidence that the individuals who were sued by the government committed any war crimes or crimes against humanity during World War II. Furthermore, the UCC sent its memorandum on denaturalization and deportation to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, the Honourable Elinor Caplan. Moreover, the UCC had representatives at two conferences in Ottawa organized by the Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes Section of the Canadian Department of Justice on November 1, 1999 and October 30, 2000. The UCC also issued press releases concerning: (1) its position on the federal policy of denaturalization and deportation (i.e. "Revocations of Citizenship Obtained a Half Century Ago" on March 15, 2001); and (2) the statement of the Canadian Minister of Justice that there is insufficient evidence to merit the commencement of Court proceedings against any member of the Galicia Division.Canadian Citizenship
In view of the federal government’s policy on denaturalization and deportation, the UCC was extremely interested in any government initiative concerning Canadian citizenship, and especially, in its revocation. For this reason, the UCC reviewed Bill C 16, the Citizenship of Canada Act and analyzed the issue of citizenship. Then, the UCC prepared and posted on its web site a memorandum concerning this Bill. In its memorandum, the UCC highlighted the importance of Canadian citizenship and the need for the Act to clearly provide that Canadian citizenship cannot be revoked without a fair judicial process. The UCC also discussed this Bill with the Congresses of other ethnic groups in Canada, which are members of the Canadian Ethnocultural Council. On March 30, 2000, UCC’s President, Mr. Eugene Czolij, appeared with the First Vice-President, Mr. Adrian Boyko, and UCC's legal advisor, Mr. Peter Doody, before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration and presented UCC's recommendations concerning Bill C 16, namely that the Act should: (1) ensure due process before the courts for naturalized Canadians in cases of revocation and annulment of citizenship, including full appeal rights from decisions of the Federal Court – Trial Division (without the necessity to obtain a permission to appeal); (2) provide that a high standard of proof must be met by the government in revocation and annulment of citizenship proceedings, namely that of "beyond a reasonable doubt" and not only a "balance of probabilities", because of the importance of citizenship; (3) provide a limitation period of five years from the granting of citizenship for the commencement of revocation of citizenship proceedings by the government, when relevant immigration documents still exist (and not as is currently the case when the government initiates such proceedings against individuals almost half a century after granting them citizenship, when the appropriate immigration documents no longer exist and the necessary witnesses are no longer alive); and (4) ensure that a permanent Canadian resident can submit to the Courts for review an order or declaration of the Governor in Council prohibiting such person to obtain Canadian citizenship. Subsequently, on September 26, 2000, UCC’s President, Mr. Eugene Czolij, appeared with UCC's legal advisor, Mr. Peter Doody, before the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs to present UCC's position concerning Bill C 16. Finally, Bill C 16 did not pass. However, the UCC believes that the existing citizenship legislation needs to be modified to ensure that all Canadian citizens, namely those who were born in Canada, as well as those who immigrated to Canada and later obtained Canadian citizenship, be treated fairly.Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes Act
In its many representations, the UCC has consistently stated that perpetrators of crimes against humanity and war crimes should be brought to justice in accordance with Canadian criminal law and Canadian standards of evidence in criminal proceedings. Thus, it listened carefully, when on December 10, 1999, the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, introduced in Parliament Bill C 19, the Crimes Against Humanity Act, to implement the Rome Statute in Canada. Since this Bill provided that war crimes should be dealt with by criminal courts, the UCC called upon the Minister of Justice to announce that the Canadian government will: (1) prosecute before criminal courts Canadians suspected of war crimes during World War II; and (2) cease the inappropriate denaturalization and deportation proceedings against such individuals. The UCC also posted on its web site an analysis of Bill C 19 prepared by UCC's legal advisor, Mr. Peter Doody. Later, on May 30, 2000, UCC’s President, Mr. Eugene Czolij, appeared with Mr. Peter Doody before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade and presented UCC's concerns regarding Bill C 19, mainly that: (1) the Bill created two categories of "crimes against humanity", "war crimes" and "genocides", which were defined and treated differently, depending only on whether they were committed in Canada or outside Canada (i.e. the definition of a "crime against humanity" committed outside Canada did not include a requirement that the offence be committed against a civilian population or any identifiable group of persons); and (2) notwithstanding the fact that this Bill was to implement in Canada the Rome Statute, the Bill treated "crimes against humanity", "war crimes" and "genocides" committed outside Canada differently and defined them much less precisely than the Rome Statute. In adopting the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act, the Parliament of Canada accepted some important recommendations of the UCC, namely that: (1) the definitions of crimes do not differ depending on where they were committed; and (2) a crime committed outside Canada, in order to be considered as a "crime against humanity" must be committed against a civilian population or an identifiable group of persons. However, the UCC considers that this legislation requires additional amendments, mainly because it is retroactive only with respect to crimes committed outside Canada.Ukrainians During World War II
The experience in dealing with the denaturalization and deportation, as well as other issues, once again underscored the paucity of readily available reliable historical information about Ukrainians during World War II. With this in mind, the UCC gathered important data on the plight of Ukrainians during World War II, mainly from the report of the Deschênes Commission and the arguments of UCC's former attorney, the late John Sopinka, before said commission. Then, the UCC prepared a memorandum entitled "Ukrainians during World War II", which was posted on UCC's web site. In that memorandum, the UCC highlighted the following facts: (1) approximately 2 million Ukrainians were deported to Nazi Germany as forced labourers; (2) in 1943, approximately 10% to 28% of the population of Nazi prison camps was Ukrainian; (3) on June 30, 1941, Ukrainian Nationalists proclaimed Ukraine's Independence and soon thereafter, the leaders of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) were arrested by the Nazis and many members of the OUN were sent to concentration camps or executed; (4) the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) fought on two fronts, against both the Nazi invaders and the Soviets; (5) approximately 7.5 million Ukrainians perished during World War II as a result of Nazi and Soviet repression; and (6) the First Division of the Ukrainian National Army (Galicia Division) fought against the Soviets. The Galicia Division was later screened by Britain's Foreign Office in 1950 and subsequently by the Deschênes Commission in 1986 and charges of war crimes against members of the Galicia Division have never been substantiated. The UCC also presented this memorandum to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Honourable A. Anne McLellan, during her meeting with a UCC delegation on August 25, 1999.Compensation Program for Nazi Victims
Issues related to World War II continued to remain on UCC’s agenda. The UCC obtained from the German Embassy in Canada information for Ukrainian Canadians about the German compensation program for forced labourers and other Nazi victims. The UCC transmitted this information to its member organizations and posted it on its web site. In addition, the UCC issued a press release concerning this compensation program.Canadian Museum of Genocide
Having supported the principle of seeking justice for all crimes against humanity, the UCC addressed the issue of genocide, and specifically, the Ukrainian famine-genocide of 1932-33. In December 1998, on the 65th anniversary of the Ukrainian famine-genocide, the UCC appealed to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Honourable Sheila Copps, with a request that a Canadian Museum of Genocide be established to commemorate the victims of all genocides perpetrated in the XX century, including the horrific famine-genocide of 1932-1933 in Ukraine. In January 1999, the UCC made a similar appeal to the Prime Minister of Canada before his first visit to Ukraine. UCC’s President, Mr. Eugene Czolij, also presented this issue to the Canadian Minister of Justice, the Honourable A. Anne McLellan, on August 25, 1999, during her meeting with a UCC delegation. The UCC also reviewed various documents concerning genocide. It then prepared and posted on its web site a memorandum entitled "Canadian Museum of Genocide". Furthermore, on June 8, 2000, UCC’s President, Mr. Eugene Czolij, appeared with Dr. Roman Serbyn before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, presented UCC's memorandum concerning the Canadian Museum of Genocide and stated that: (1) a Canadian Museum of Genocide would give an opportunity for future generations to familiarize themselves with all the genocides of the XX century and to better understand that a lack of tolerance and respect of others can lead to inhumanity; and that (2) the establishment by the government of an all-inclusive genocide museum would be a dignified way for Canada to demonstrate to the international community its readiness to condemn all genocides and to provide for an equitable recognition of all victims of genocides, irrespective of where and against whom the atrocities were committed. UCC’s President also provided to the House of Commons Standing Committee relevant information regarding the famine-genocide of 1932-1933 in Ukraine, which took the lives of over 7 million Ukrainians and which is still fairly unknown, mainly due to half a century of Soviet disinformation. Moreover, the UCC raised the idea of creating a Canadian Museum of Genocide with the congresses of other ethnic groups in Canada that are members of the Canadian Ethnocultural Congress. After its public hearings, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage filed a report recommending to entrust one or more academic centres in Canada with the task of researching and publishing materials about all genocides and crimes against humanity. This report took into account UCC's recommendation that Canada commemorate honourably the victims of all genocides. The UCC also appealed to Canadians to commemorate over 7 million victims of the famine-genocide of 1932-1933 in Ukraine during the National Day of Remembrance, fixed by a decree of the president of Ukraine every fourth Saturday in November. The UCC will continue in its efforts to ensure that an all-inclusive Canadian Genocide Museum be established in Ottawa, as well as to disseminate information about the famine-genocide of 1932-1933 in Ukraine.Conferences against Racism
Continuing its tradition of supporting and defending human rights, the UCC participated at the invitation of the Canadian Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) in Canada's preparatory work for the UN World Conference against Racism in Durban, South Africa. In the course of such preparations, the Advisory Committee to the Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) recommended that the Government of Canada acknowledge and negotiate for the resolution of claims for redress for certain historical wrongs committed in Canada, which include the unjust internment of Ukrainians during World War I. The UCC also took part in the following conferences to help combat racism and other forms of discrimination, namely: (1) Mr. Yaroslaw Lozowchuk represented the UCC during meetings in Geneva from May 21 to June 1, 2001 to prepare for the UN World Conference Against Racism; (2) Mr. Michael Ilnycky, the SUSK representative on the UCC Board of Directors, represented the UCC at Canada’s National Youth Forum in Ottawa from July 13 to 15, 2001 to prepare for the International Youth Summit and the UN World Conference Against Racism; and (3) Mr. Andrew Hladyshevsky was UCC’s representative at the UN World Conference against Racism from August 31 to September 7, 2001 in Durban, South Africa. At these conferences, the UCC representatives raised the questions of redress for the unjust internment of Ukrainian Canadians during World War I and the establishment of an all-inclusive Canadian Museum of Genocide.Internment
On February 1st, 1999, the UCC addressed the issue of internment of Ukrainian Canadians during World War I to the Prime Minister of Canada, The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien,. It reminded him that on June 8, 1993, he, as Leader of the Opposition, informed the UCC in writing that the Liberal Party of Canada supports the efforts of the UCC to secure redress for this internment. Furthermore, on August 25, 1999, during a meeting of a UCC delegation with the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Honourable A. Anne McLellan, UCC’s President, Mr. Eugene Czolij, raised the issue of internment of Ukrainian Canadians during World War I and remitted to the Minister a unanimous resolution of the House of Commons of Canada dated September 27, 1991 which called upon the Government of Canada to acknowledge this sad historical fact in Canadian history and to negotiate with the UCC the question of redress to the community. Subsequently, on March 7, 2000, the First Vice-President, Mr. Adrian Boyko, raised this issue during a meeting of a UCC delegation with the Canadian Secretary of State (Multiculturalism), the Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry. The UCC issued press releases regarding the internment of Ukrainian Canadians during World War I and posted them on its web site. In addition, the UCC President gave an interview to the Globe and Mail concerning redress for the internment of Ukrainian Canadians during World War I. Some extracts of this interview appeared in the July 12, 2001 issue of the Globe and Mail. The UCC is also completing with Dr. Bohdan Kordan a comprehensive analysis concerning the internment of Ukrainian Canadians during World War I.Immigration
The UCC examined Bill C 31, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, and analyzed additional information about immigration. Then, the UCC prepared and posted on its web site a memorandum with its recommendations concerning this Bill. The UCC also supported certain recommendations of the Canadian Bar Association, National Citizenship and Immigration Law Section, namely that the Act: (1) should guarantee to permanent residents the right of entry into Canada until a final determination of loss of such status is made; (2) not require the necessity to obtain a permission from the Court to appeal judicial decisions concerning this Bill (namely, to guarantee full appeal rights); and (3) provide that permanent residents and refugees may only be removed from Canada after the judicial review of the removal determination under this Act is fully completed. The UCC also sent this memorandum to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. Bill C 31 did not pass before the federal election. However, following the federal election, the government introduced another Bill dealing with immigration, namely Bill C-11, which addressed some of the proposals made by the UCC concerning Bill C 31, by: (1) distinguishing Canadian "permanent residents" from "foreign nationals"; (2) providing a right for permanent residents to appeal to the immigration appeal division from removal orders against them for failure to comply with the residency obligation, as opposed to being restricted to filing paper appeals only; and (3) extending the time limit from 15 to 60 days to file a notice of application for judicial review by the Federal Court in the case of a matter arising outside Canada. Notwithstanding this, the UCC considered that Bill C 11 was unfair to immigrants who have made an important contribution to the development of Canada. Therefore, the UCC prepared and posted on its web site a memorandum containing its recommendations concerning Bill C 11. Then, on May 4, 2001, UCC’s President, Mr. Eugene Czolij, appeared with UCC's Consultant, Mr. Fredrick Mantey, before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, and presented several recommendations from the UCC concerning Bill C 11, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, in order to ensure that the Canadian immigration process be fair and reflect the multicultural character of Canada. On June 13, 2001, Bill C 11 was passed by the House of Commons of Canada and some recommendations of the UCC were incorporated therein, namely: (1) the Bill recognizes the multicultural character of Canada; and (2) certain proposed regulations must be presented to Parliament and have to be referred for review by the appropriate Parliamentary Standing committees. Nevertheless, the UCC still considers that Bill C 11 is inappropriate and intends to appear before a Senate Standing Committee on this issue.Multiculturalism
The XIX Triennial Congress supported the concept of Canada as a multicultural country within a bilingual framework. For this reason, the UCC analyzed the question of multilingual and multicultural programs in Canada. Then, the UCC prepared and posted on its web site two memorandums to the Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on the following issues: (1) CRTC policy on third language and ethnic broadcasting; and (2) the role of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and its programs. In its memorandums, the UCC highlighted the following facts: (1) 42% of the Canadian population is neither of French or English background; and (2) 80% of the one million immigrants who arrived in Canada between 1991 and 1996 reported a mother tongue other than English or French. On that basis, the UCC recommended that the CRTC take the necessary measures to ensure multilingual and multicultural programs across Canada. Subsequently, on February 3, 1999, UCC’s Second Vice-President, Ms. Myroslava Pidhirnyj, and UCC’s Executive Assistant, Ms. Lesia Szwaluk, appeared before the CRTC concerning its policy on third language and ethnic broadcasting and requested that this commission: (1) renew the commitment it made in 1985 to basic principles entrenched in the "Broadcasting Policy Reflecting Canada's Cultural and Linguistic Diversity"; (2) ensure that mechanisms are put into place which afford these principles appropriate resources for implementation; (3) create an Ombudsman position to ensure that Canadian broadcasting reflects the multicultural reality of Canada; (4) create a national multilingual network to ensure that ethnic programs are broadcast across Canada; (5) require that public and private broadcasters allot at least 10 hours per week for ethnic broadcasting; and (6) ensure that public and private broadcasters adhere to the spirit of values entrenched in the Broadcasting Act, Canadian Multiculturalism Act and The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the creation of any programming. A month later, on March 9, 1999, UCC’s Executive Assistant, Ms. Lesia Szwaluk, appeared before the CRTC concerning the role of the CBC and Radio-Canada International (RCI) and their programs. During this public hearing, the UCC recommended that the CRTC ensure that: (1) CBC, more than any other broadcaster, focus on reflecting the full range of Canada's multicultural reality in all its programming; (2) CBC allot at least 10 hours per week of ethnic broadcasting; (3) RCI's Ukrainian programs be rebroadcast in Canada through CBC's local AM/FM stations; and (4) CBC adhere to the spirit of values entrenched in the Broadcasting Act, Canadian Multiculturalism Act and The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the creation of any programming. Furthermore, on March 7, 2000, UCC’s First Vice-President, Mr. Adrian Boyko, headed a UCC delegation (Dr. Bohdan Kordan and Dr. Dmytro Cipywnyk) which met the Canadian Secretary of State (Multiculturalism), the Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry, in Regina. During that meeting, the following issues were discussed: (1) the involvement of Canada's ethnocultural communities in the ongoing dialogue among Canadians through the Internet; (2) the development of Canadian intercultural youth exchanges to develop leadership skills, strengthen cultural ties and build towards a stronger Canadian identity; (3) the creation of a Multiculturalism Ombudsman Office to ensure a better adherence to the Canadian policy of multiculturalism; and (4) the development of a "multiculturalism lens" as an important tool in the development and implementation of government programming. On July 12, 2001, the UCC appealed to the CBC and to the Honourable Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage, to ensure that various program cuts at Radio Canada International be cancelled.Canadian Ethnocultural Council
The UCC is an active member of the Canadian Ethnocultural Council, which unites 32 ethnic congresses in Canada, promotes their common issues and highlights the multicultural character of Canada. UCC’s President took part in the meetings of the Board of Presidents of the Canadian Ethnocultural Council. In addition, during the last Biennial General Meeting of this Council, held on May 14, 2000, Mr. Oleh Romaniw, the UCC’s Past President, was elected Vice-President of the Canadian Ethnocultural Council. In the previous term, Dr. Dmytro Cipywnyk was a member of the Executive of the Canadian Ethnocultural Council.Canada Census 2001
Since 1901, the federal government has been collecting census data on the Canadian population. The last census was done on May 15, 2001. The UCC requested from the Chief Statistician that the 2001 census contain questions on ethnicity, mother tongue and religion, which was done. The UCC then encouraged Ukrainian Canadians to provide information pertaining to their ethnic origin, language and religion in the census questionnaire, explaining that their responses will portray the Ukrainian community in Canada at the beginning of the 21st century. In addition, the UCC provided assistance to individuals in the community needing help to respond to the census questionnaire.Federal Election in Canada
On November 27, 2000, a federal election was held in Canada. During the election campaign, the UCC sent to the leaders of all political parties and to a large number of candidates its pre-election brochure, which included the positions of the UCC concerning Canadian citizenship, the government policy on denaturalization and deportation, immigration, redress for the internment of Ukrainians during World War I, the Canadian Museum of Genocide, multiculturalism and the strengthening of the "special partnership" between Canada and Ukraine, as well as a questionnaire for the candidates concerning their positions on these issues. The leaders of all the political parties and numerous candidates responded to this questionnaire. The UCC also posted its pre-election brochure and the answers of the leaders of all the political parties on its web page.UCC Ottawa Office
One of the priorities, which the XIX Triennial Congress of Ukrainian Canadians directed the UCC Board of Directors to implement, was the reactivation of the UCC Ottawa Office. This issue was not easy to settle due to meagre financial resources. Despite the fiscal constraints, the UCC fulfilled this requirement in April 2000, when it contracted for the position of director of UCC's Ottawa Office, Mr. Modest Cmoc, and a consultant on Canadian issues, Mr. Fredrick Mantey. In this way, the UCC strengthened its contacts with the Canadian government, as well as the Embassy of Ukraine and ensured a physical presence in the capital of Canada.B. Canada Ukraine Relations
Another important priority for the community was to advance Canada Ukraine relations at many levels. This was achieved in a variety of ways from consultation with government to assuming responsibility for the community programming component of an exchange program. The UCC called upon the Canadian government, the Red Cross, UNICEF and the Ukrainian community in Canada to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine and, more particularly, to the victims of the flooding in Trans-Carpathian region in 1998 and 2001. In 1999 and 2001, the UCC held meetings with the former Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine, His Excellency Derek Fraser, to familiarize him with the priorities of the UCC and to discuss the future cooperation between Canada and Ukraine. Subsequently, on July 20, 2001, UCC’s President, Mr. Czolij, met the current Ambassador of Canada in Ukraine, His Excellency Andrew Robinson, to discuss current issues in Ukraine and, in particular, the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine. The UCC also cooperated with the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada and, more particularly, with His Excellency Volodymyr Khandogiy, the former Ambassador, and His Excellency, Dr. Yuri Scherbak, the current Ambassador of Ukraine in Canada. On June 11 and 12, 2000, the UCC President headed a UCC delegation which welcomed Ukraine's Foreign Affairs Minister, the Honourable Borys Tarasyuk, during his official visit to Canada. The program of the Minister's visit included a dinner in his honour with representatives of the UCC, as well as a working session with the UCC Executive Committee (UCC’s President, Mr. Eugene Czolij, First Vice-President, Mr. Adrian Boyko, Second Vice-President, Ms. Myroslava Pidhirnyj, Chair of the Finance Committee, Ms. Sophia Kachor, and the Secretary, Professor Oleh Gerus) at the UCC Head Office. At this meeting, the UCC President highlighted the work of the UCC over the past 60 years and its current priorities. The following issues were also discussed: recognition of the famine of 1932-1933 in Ukraine as a genocide, cultural and educational exchanges, immigration to Canada, priority issues for Ukraine and the 10th anniversary of the independence of Ukraine. On July 6, 2000, the UCC President headed a UCC delegation (Mr. Wasyl Grosko, President of the UCC Montreal Branch, and Mr. Modest Cmoc, director of UCC's Ottawa Office) which held a working session with Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Mykola Zhulynsky, at the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada, where the following issues were discussed: a memorandum concerning the work and priorities of the UCC, a Ukrainian Bill concerning the status and rights of Ukrainians in the diaspora, an ethnocide conference in Kyiv, the 10th anniversary of Ukraine's independence and the III World Forum of Ukrainians. Following the federal elections, the UCC called upon the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs to complete its analysis of political, social, economic and security developments in Ukraine. The Senate Standing Committee decided on February 27, 2001 to continue its analysis of these issues in order to report to the Senate on June 28, 2002. The UCC plans to appear before this Senate Standing Committee to present its recommendations regarding the "special partnership" between Canada and Ukraine. Then, on March 22, 2001, UCC’s President, Mr. Eugene Czolij, and the Chair of UCC's Canada-Ukraine Relations Committee, Ms. Myroslava Pidhirnyj, met with the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable John Manley. During that meeting, the UCC President stated that: (1) as the first western country to recognize the independence of Ukraine in 1991, Canada should reaffirm its "special partnership" with Ukraine and continue supporting those programs and projects which develop and foster the principles of a democratic society; (2) Canada should work closely and actively with Ukraine in ensuring that human rights and fundamental freedoms of a democratic society are always fully respected in Ukraine; (3) Canada should expand its high-level contacts with Ukraine to reassure the people of that country that a stable and democratic Ukraine will continue to garner support from Canada and other western nations; and (4) it is in the best interests of Canada to play a leading role to enhance Ukraine's further integration with western democracies and to resist adopting positions which could potentially isolate Ukraine and thereby contribute towards a return to a bipolar world. The following issues were also discussed: the future work of the Canada-Ukraine Advisory Council, the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, humanitarian assistance to the victims of the flooding in the Trans Carpathian region, student exchanges, scholarships for Ukrainian students to study in Canadian universities, technological assistance to Ukraine and the official visit to Canada of Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Antoliy Zlenko. On March 25, 2001, UCC’s President, Mr. Eugene Czolij, headed a delegation (First Vice-President of the Ukrainian World Congress, Ms. Mara Szkambara, General Secretary of the Ukrainian World Congress, Mr. Victor Pedenko, President of the World Federation of Ukrainian Womens' Organizations, Ms. Oksana Sokolyk, Member of the Ukrainian World Congress Board of Auditors, Mr. Yaroslaw Sokolyk, and , President of the UCC Ottawa Branch, Ms. Marta Wynnycky) that met with Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Anatoliy Zlenko, and the Ambassador of Ukraine in Canada, His Excellency Dr. Yuri Scherbak. During this meeting, the following issues were discussed: the 10th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence, the "special partnership" between Canada and Ukraine and the need to settle immediately the so-called cassette issue in Ukraine in a transparent and democratic way. Furthermore, on March 26, 2001, UCC’s President, Mr. Eugene Czolij, attended a luncheon given by the Government of Canada in honour of the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Anatoliy Zlenko, by joining, amongst others, the former Governor General, The Right Honourable Ramon Hnatyshyn, the Honourable Peter Stollery, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Honourable A. Raynell Andreychuk, Deputy Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Ambassador of Ukraine in Canada, His Excellency Dr. Yuri Scherbak, and well-known businessman Mr. James C. Temerty. Subsequently, on May 15, 2001, UCC’s President, Mr. Eugene Czolij, and President of UCC Montreal Branch, Mr. Wasyl Grosko, had a meeting with representatives of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to discuss the proposed strategy of this agency concerning Ukraine. Moreover, on May 25, 2001, the UCC posted on its web site and send to the Canadian Government and to the press the following communiqué entitled "Reforms Essential for Ukraine": The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) expressed its bitter disappointment with the April 26, 2001 vote of nonconfidence of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament of Ukraine) against the Cabinet of Ministers headed by the Honourable Victor Yushchenko, which had spearheaded significant reforms in Ukraine during its mandate starting in December 1999. The UCC noted that the economic, political and social reforms, which took place over the last 16 months, as well as Ukraine's focus on European integration, were most beneficial for the people of Ukraine. In fact, during that period, Ukraine's economy experienced real growth for the first time since its independence in 1991. Over the past 10 years, the UCC worked with the Government of Canada in supporting programs, which enhanced the development of a civil society and the transition to a market oriented economy and democratic system of government in Ukraine, as well as strengthened the special partnership between Canada and Ukraine. In view of the recent ouster of Ukraine's reformist government, the UCC will be monitoring closely whether Ukraine maintains its course of reforms. The UCC also calls upon the Government of Canada to impress, once again, on Ukraine the importance of serious and tangible reforms, free market economy, just privatization, a transparent legal and regulatory system, fair taxation, further integration with western democracies and full compliance with fundamental freedoms of a democratic society. “An independent, democratic and reform driven Ukraine is in the best interests of the people of Ukraine and a solid guarantee of global stability and security,” said UCC President, Eugene Czolij.Canada Ukraine Advisory Council
During his term in office as Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Lloyd Axworthy established the Canada-Ukraine Advisory Council. This council is composed of members of the UCC and senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The council met about once a year and made recommendations to the Canadian government concerning Canada-Ukraine relations. On December 9, 1998, during a meeting of the Canada-Ukraine Advisory Council in Winnipeg, UCC representatives, led by UCC’s Second Vice-President, Ms. Myroslava Pidhirnyj, recommended that during his first official visit to Ukraine, the Prime Minister of Canada should: (1) solemnly recognize the 65th anniversary of the famine-genocide of 1932 1933 in Ukraine by laying a wreath at the National Famine Memorial in Kyiv and announce the establishment of a Canadian Genocide Museum in Ottawa to honour the victims of all genocides in the XX century; (2) announce that Canada will provide humanitarian assistance because of the flooding in the Trans-Carpathian region and other economical problems in Ukraine; (3) include a UCC representative in the official Canadian delegation to Ukraine; (4) announce a Millenium project to facilitate cultural, student and academic exchanges between Canada and Ukraine; (5) announce that the staff resources in the Consulate Division of the Canadian Embassy in Ukraine will be increased to accelerate the processing of temporary and permanent visas to Canada; and (6) announce that a Canada-Ukraine matching dollar fund will be established, as proposed by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. Subsequently, the Canada-Ukraine Advisory Council met on December 7, 1999 in Winnipeg. During that meeting, the Director General of the Central, East and South Europe Bureau at the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Mr. James Wright, reported on his trip to Ukraine in November 1999. During that meeting, the following issues were also discussed: the closing of a nuclear station in Chornobyl, reforms in Ukraine, the economic situation in Ukraine, humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, immigration issues and future Canada-Ukraine relations. On March 26, 2001, the UCC Executive Committee had a meeting in Winnipeg with Mr. Ron Halpin, Director General, Central, East and South Europe Bureau at the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and Ms. Wendy Gilmour, Deputy Director – Ukraine/CIS, Eastern Europe Divsion. During that meeting, the following topics were discussed: the role of the UCC, the meeting of a UCC delegation with the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the "special partnership" between Canada and Ukraine, the 10th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, the visit to Canada of Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Anatoliy Zlenko, and immigration matters. The UCC also kept close ties with representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada when important events were unfolding in Ukraine. After the federal election, namely on March 22, 2001, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, the Honourable John Manley, confirmed the important role of the Canada Ukraine Advisory Council and assured the UCC that this council will continue its important work.First Official Visit to Ukraine by the Canadian Prime Minister
On January 27 and 28, 1999, The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien made the first official visit by a Canadian prime minister to Ukraine since its independence. The UCC had been calling for some time for such an official visit in order to strengthen the “special partnership” between Canada and Ukraine. UCC’s Past President, Mr. Oleh Romaniw, attended the official functions of the Prime Minister of Canada in Ukraine on the invitation of the Canadian government. During this official visit, five bilateral agreements between Canada and Ukraine were signed and Canada announced a series of technical assistance projects to Ukraine. In addition, five commercial contracts, six memorandums of understanding and seven letters of intent were signed between Canadian and Ukrainian businesses worth $163 million. Furthermore, the Prime Minister of Canada was the first Western statesman to remember over 7 million victims of the famine-genocide of 1932-1933 in Ukraine by laying a memorial wreath at the National Famine Monument in Kyiv. The Canadian Prime Minister also honoured at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier millions of Ukrainian victims who fought against the Nazis during World War II. The UCC issued a press release and sent letters to the Prime Minister of Canada concerning his first official visit to Ukraine.Canada Ukraine Legislative and Intergovernmental Project (CULIP)
In September 2000, during her official visit to Ukraine, the Minister for International Cooperation, the Honourable Maria Minna, announced that the Canadian government assigned $2.7 million for a three-year Canada-Ukraine Legislative and Intergovernmental Project. Subsequently, in October 2000, the UCC signed a contract with the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Alberta to help in the preparation of the program of the Canada-Ukraine Legislative and Intergovernmental Project and the organizing of community and cultural events for its participants. The partners of the project are the Parliament of Canada, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Provincial Governments of Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Alberta and the UCC. The goal of the project is to help Ukraine develop appropriate policies and legislation, as well as create effective structures in key areas to strengthen democratic, social and economic reforms. In November 2000, the UCC took an active part during the stay in Canada of the first delegation of government officials from Ukraine, which familiarized itself mostly with Canada's cultural life. This delegation included one minister, three members of the Verkhovna Rada and key members of committees of the Verkhovna Rada and Provincial Governments in Ukraine. Subsequently, in May and June 2001, the UCC worked with the second delegation of government officials from Ukraine, which included, among others, two members of the Verkhovna Rada, a judge of the Supreme Arbitration Court of Ukraine, a representative of the Verkhovna Rada to the Constitutional Court and an Assistant head of the Department for Legislative Development at the National Bank of Ukraine. The theme of this program was “Legal Protection for the Development of Credit Relations”.Third World Forum of Ukrainians
The III World Forum of Ukrainians was held in Kyiv from August 18 to 20, 2001. The Canadian delegation, headed by the UCC President, was comprised of 22 delegates and 44 guests. The UCC is not a member of the Ukrainian World Coordinating Council but supports its work through the Ukrainian World Congress. During the Forum, the President of Ukraine, the Honourable Leonid Kuchma, the President of the Ukrainian World Coordinating Council, Mr. Mychailo Horyn, and the President of the Ukrainian World Congress, Dr. Askold Lozynskyj, delivered keynote addresses about the successes and shortcomings of Ukraine and its relations with the Ukrainian diaspora since 1991. UCC’s President, Mr. Eugene Czolij, also gave a speech about the 10th anniversary of the independence of Ukraine, the assistance to Ukraine by the UCC and Ukrainian Canadians since 1991 and our readiness to continue supporting true reforms in Ukraine. Canada was also represented by three dance ensembles, Rusalka of Winnipeg, Nadia of Edmonton, and Ukraina of Toronto, who performed in the opening concert of the III Forum on August 18 in Kyiv. Then, the following sections held round table discussions: youth, cultural, educational, research and technology, information and publications, economical, medico-ecological, political, legal and organizational. These sections adopted several resolutions and recommendations concerning Ukraine’s future. Subsequently, a new Executive of the Ukrainian World Coordinating Council was elected, headed by Mr. Mychailo Horyn. The following individuals from Canada are part of this Executive: Ms. Mary Szkambara, First Vice-President of the Ukrainian World Congress, Mr. Victor Pedenko, General Secretary of the Ukrainian World Congress, Ms. Oksana Sokolyk, President of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women's Organizations, and UCC’s President, Mr. Eugene Czolj. The III World Forum of Ukrainians adopted a general resolution concerning economic, national, democratic and social reforms in Ukraine. After the Forum, on August 21, 2001, a UCC delegation met with the Canadian Ambassador in Ukraine, His Excellency Andrew Robinson, mainly to highlight the aid to Ukraine by Ukrainian Canadian organizations during the last decade, as well as to discuss the III World Forum of Ukrainians and the issue of visas to Canada. UCC’s President also attended meetings with Ukraine’s Minister of Justice, the Honourable Suzanna Stanik, and Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Anatoliy Zlenko, on the occasion of the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.C. Ukrainian World Congress
The VII World Congress of Ukrainians was held on December 2 to 6, 1998 in Toronto. The UCC had a twenty-member delegation, headed by UCC’s President. During the Congress, four sections held round table discussions, namely: the current issues of Ukrainian National Churches, the Ukrainian diaspora in the transitional period, the role and programme of the Ukrainian World Congress in the new era, the diaspora and Ukraine. UCC’s President, together with the Presidents of Ukrainian Congresses in the U.S.A., Great Britain and Australia were the panelists of the section dealing with role and programme of the Ukrainian World Congress. The VII World Congress of Ukrainians adopted numerous resolutions, including one about the international recognition of the Famine-Genocide of 1932-33 in Ukraine. The VII World Congress of Ukrainians also clearly confirmed that it represents the whole Ukrainian diaspora. A new Presidium of the Ukrainian World Congress was elected, headed by Dr. Askold Lozynskyj. The UCC has six representatives in the Presidium, namely: the First Vice-President, Ms. Mary Szkambara, the General Secretary, Mr. Victor Pedenko, the Third Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Wasyl Sametz, a Vice-President, Mr. Wasyl Veryha, UCC’s President, Mr. Eugene Czolij, and Mr. Oleh Romanyshyn.D. Community Development
Aside from attending to Canadian and Ukrainian issues, the UCC made an effort to be more visible and more supportive in the community. To that end, it worked at improving communication and at acknowledging the contribution of volunteers.Community Relations
In order to better inform about various Canadian issues and its work, the UCC: (1) prepared nine (9) memorandums concerning important Canadian issues; (2) published the UCC Bulletin; (3) issued press releases; and (4) launched in December 1999 a UCC web site at www.ucc.ca, which includes UCC positions and press releases, as well as interesting information about the UCC, its member organizations and the Ukrainian community in Canada. Since then, the UCC web site was visited over 26,000 times. The web site also includes a documentary article about the history of Ukrainian Canadians entitled “The Ukrainian Canadians: A Community Profile, 1891-1999 by Dr. Oleh Gerus. UCC’s President, Mr. Eugene Czolij, appeared at General Meetings of the UCC Provincial Councils of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and the UCC Montreal Branch (which also acts as the UCC Provincial Council of Quebec) to inform about UCC activities. He presented similar information during a meeting of the UCC Provincial Council of British Columbia. He also met Ukrainian communities in Vancouver, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, London, Hamilton, Windsor, Oshawa, St. Catharines and Montreal. The UCC also kept close ties with Ukrainian youth and students in Canada and the UCC President gave keynote speeches at: (1) the 48th Congress of the Ukrainian Canadian Students Union (SUSK) on February 26, 2000 in Hamilton; (2) the 23rd National Convention in Canada of Plast, on February 26, 2000 in Toronto; (3) the 26th National Convention in Canada of the Ukrainian Youth Association (SUM), on February 24, 2001 in Toronto; and (4) graduation evenings of Ukrainian High School students in Montreal in 1999 and 2000. It is worthy to note that: (1) the 48th Congress of the Ukrainian Canadian Students Union (SUSK) approved by a resolution to actively support the positions of the UCC; and (2) SUSK actively supported the work of the UCC. Furthermore, the UCC held planning sessions in March and December 1999 and December 2000 in Winnipeg. During these sessions, the work of the UCC was reviewed and concrete directives for future work were outlined. On the basis of these sessions, the Chair of the UCC Finance Committee, Ms. Sophia Kachor, prepared annually a detailed action plan for the Board of Directors, Executive and all the UCC Committees. In that way, through their representatives on the Board of Directors, the UCC member organizations were better acquainted with the action plan of the UCC.Education
The UCC completed its survey assessing the needs of Ukrainian schools in Canada. This project included the preparation of appropriate questionnaires and their distribution to principals, teachers, parents and students. Subsequently, interviews were conducted with principals and teachers of Ukrainian schools in Canada. On the basis of the data gathered, the UCC is completing an analysis concerning the needs of Ukrainian schools in Canada. The UCC also issued a press release and posted on its web site the main points concerning an Excellence Award Program sponsored by the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation for talented students who contribute to community work. In addition, the UCC transmitted this information to its member organizations and, more particularly, to the Ukrainian Youth Association (SUM), PLAST and SUSK.Volunteer Service Award
During this year, which the United Nations declared to be the Year of Volunteers, the UCC is remitting Volunteer Service Awards to dedicated individuals who contributed much time and effort for the benefit of the UCC on local, provincial and national levels.
The UCC also encouraged its member organizations to recognize its volunteers and to consider how to engage others in voluntary work.
Furthermore, the UCC called upon all Ukrainian Canadians to strengthen Ukrainian community life in Canada and to help the process of democratic, social and economic reform in Ukraine.
The UCC is commemorating 60 years of service to the Ukrainian community in Canada. Therefore, at the dawn of the 21st century, the UCC calls upon all Ukrainian Canadians to actively help the Ukrainian Canadian Congress fulfill its obligations as the recognized representative of the Ukrainian Canadian community.
©2001 Ukrainian Canadian Congress
456 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 1B6
Tel: (204) 942-4627 Fax: (204) 947-3882
UCC E-mail: ucc@ucc.ca
WebMaster E-mail: uccwebmaster@infoukes.com
24 October 2001