UCC Congratulates Chrystia Freeland on Appointment as Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs
Hon. Chrystia Freeland, pictured, at the UCC XXV Triennial Congress
January 10, 2017. OTTAWA. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) congratulates the Honourable Chrystia Freeland on her appointment as Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced earlier today. Minister Freeland previously served as Canada’s Minister of International Trade.
“On behalf of the Ukrainian Canadian community, I congratulate Minister Freeland on her appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs. We have every confidence that Minister Freeland will continue to serve Canada capably, honourably and skillfully on the world stage,” stated UCC National President Paul Grod.“
A proud Ukrainian Canadian, Minister Freeland has been active in our community since childhood. Born in Peace River, Alberta, she began a distinguished career in journalism in Ukraine, writing for the Financial Times, Washington Post and The Economist. She served as deputy editor of the Globe and Mail and editor-at-large of Reuters. She was first elected to Canada’s Parliament in 2013.
As Minister of International Trade, she signed the historic Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA) in July, 2016 in Kyiv, and attended the XXV Triennial Congress of Ukrainian Canadians in Regina in the fall of 2016.
For her strong support of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, Minister Freeland was banned from entering Russia in March 2014 by the Russian regime. Joining Minister Freeland on the list of banned Canadians were eight other parliamentarians, three civil servants and Paul Grod.
The UCC expresses its gratitude to outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Stéphane Dion, for his service to Canada, unwavering support of Ukraine and his readiness to work with the Ukrainian Canadian community. The UCC wishes Mr. Dion continued success in the future.
