September 21, 2020. OTTAWA. Today the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) released its priorities for the Fall 2020 session of Canada’s parliament, ahead of Wednesday’s Speech from the Throne.
The UCC is asking Canada’s MPs to support three policy priorities in this session:
- Covid-19 Response: Better outcomes for seniors’ care and support to caregivers
- Assistance for not-for profit organizations and community educational, cultural and arts programs
- Support for Ukraine in the face of continuing Russian aggression.
The UCC’s briefing note, sent today to Canadian MPs, is available here
“Our community and all Canadians have responded to the Covid-19 pandemic with unity of purpose, determination and resolve. Caregivers and seniors’ care providers need increased support from the Government, as do non-profit, community organizations who face increasing challenges due to the pandemic,” stated Ihor Michalchyshyn, CEO and Executive Director of the UCC. “Russia’s war against Ukraine is in its seventh year. Russia’s escalating aggression and destabilizing activities require a firm response from Canada.”
Last week, a Russian “court” sentenced seven Crimean Tatar civic journalists and activists to prison terms of between 13 and 19 years for their courageous resistance to Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea. Over 100 Ukrainian citizens are illegally imprisoned by the Russian regime. The UCC calls on the Government of Canada to use Magnitsky legislation more robustly, in the way it was intended, to hold Russian officials to account for their human rights abuse.
The UCC looks forward to working with Canada’s parliamentarians to deliver results for our community and all Canadians in the fall session of Canada’s parliament.
