February 9, 2015 – OTTAWA. UCC President Paul Grod issued the following statement on today’s changes to the federal cabinet.
“On behalf of the Ukrainian Canadian community, I wish to express my sincere best wishes to Honourable Jason Kenney as he assumes his new responsibilities as Minister of National Defence, and to the Honourable Rob Nicholson, as he assumes his new responsibilities as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Minister Jason Kenney has been a longtime friend and supporter of the Ukrainian Canadian community and we are pleased that he will also continue to serve as Minister of Multiculturalism.
As Minister of Defence, Rob Nicholson has made a number of trips to Ukraine and very recently announced that Canada will join the US – Ukraine Joint Commission on Defence Reform and Bilateral Cooperation in order to better coordinate Canada’s ongoing provision of assistance to the Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
Both Ministers Nicholson and Kenney have been staunch supporters of the people of Ukraine on the international stage. We look forward to their continued leadership defending Canadian values both at home and abroad. Today, Ukraine needs clear and decisive action from Canada and our allies to defend against Russian terrorist aggression. Providing Ukraine with the military equipment needed to defend herself is key to establishing and maintaining peace in Ukraine and throughout the region.
We are grateful to the Prime Minister for his leadership in standing up for Ukraine and look forward to continued productive and cooperative relationships with Ministers Nicholson and Kenney as we continue to build international resolve to opposing Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and stopping the terrorist-led war in Eastern Ukraine.”
