29 September 2016. REGINA, SK – The historic XXV Triennial Congress of Ukrainian Canadians is kicking off in Regina, SK. Over 250 delegates from across the country are arriving today in the Queen City. Tomorrow morning the Congress will officially open, and the Triennial Congress will begin its work.
High-level delegations from both Canada and Ukraine will address the Congress and take part in plenary and breakout sessions. Tomorrow, the Congress will be addressed by
– the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety;
– the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s Minister of International Trade;
– the Honourable Greg Ottenbreit, Saskatchewan’s Minister Responsible for Rural and Remote
Health;
– 1st Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economic Development and Trade Stepan Kubiv;
– Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Vyacheslav Kyrylenko;
The XXV Triennial Congress will celebrate the 125th Anniversary of Ukrainian Immigration to Canada; the 75th Anniversary of the UCC, and the 25th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.
In the afternoon, Minister Freeland and 1st Deputy Prime Minister Kubiv will also take part in a breakout session, Is Ukraine Open for Business?, which will explore the growing business relationship between Canada and Ukraine in the context of the recently signed Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA).
“I very much look forward to participating in this important gathering of the Ukrainian Canadian community,” stated Minister Freeland. “This is a momentous occasion to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Ukrainian immigration to Canada, the 75th anniversary of the UCC, and the 25th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.”
Other topics covered in tomorrow’s breakout sessions will be:
Ukrainian Education in Canada;
Effective Communications Strategies for the Ukrainian Community;
Best Practices in Not-for-Profit Governance;
Giving Voice to Ukrainian Canadian stories – Kobzar Award Winners
Deputy Prime Ministers Kubiv and Kyrylenko are scheduled to hold a press conference at 4:30 PM, at the Delta Regina Hotel. Media can contact UCC CEO Ihor Michalchyshyn or UCC Local Media Coordinator Ivanna Knoll at 306-596-2281 or ivanna.zwarych@gmail.com
Please follow our website, www.ucc.ca , #uccxxv and @ukrcancongress for real-time updates from the Congress.
The weekend will include a Gala showcase at the Conexus Arts Centre featuring some of Canada’s top Ukrainian entertainers on September 30. The 75th Anniversary and Shevchenko Medals Presentations Banquet will take place on Saturday, October 1.
