February 7, 2019 – Ottawa. It is with great sadness that the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) extends its deepest condolences to the family of Paul Dewar who passed away on February 6, 2019 in Ottawa. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Julia Sneyd, and two sons, Nathaniel and Jordan, as well as the rest of their family.
Paul Dewar is remembered as a strong friend of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Canadian community. He leaves a strong legacy through his work as Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre (2006 to 2015) and as the NDP Foreign Affairs Critic for the Official Opposition (2011 to 2015).
A supporter of Ukraine in the most tumultuous of times, Mr. Dewar played a key role in shaping Canada’s foreign policy on Ukraine. He was outspoken on human rights, governance reform and Canada’s support for democracy in Ukraine. For his efforts Dewar was listed as one of thirteen Canadians banned from Russia in March 2014, which he characterized as a badge of honour.
“Paul Dewar spoke strongly and with conviction about Canada’s role in supporting democracy in Ukraine,” stated Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the UCC. “His commitment to the people of Ukraine and their human rights serve as an example to us all.”
In his final letter he called on Canadians to focus on involving young Canadians in improving our country and communities. Dewar created Youth Action Now, an initiative to raise money to help engage young people to get involved in their communities. That movement will be among his lasting legacies.
May his Memory be Eternal. Вічная Пам’ять.
“I want to reassure the people of Ukraine that we are there to help…. We are there to help them become more independent, obviously, to look at strengthening institutions, to strengthen their economy, to make sure the people, particularly in the east who have been most adversely affected by this aggression, are going to get the support that we can provide to them.”
Paul Dewar, M.P., Official Opposition Foreign Affairs Critic,
April 30, 2015 in the Parliament of Canada
