50th anniversary of Multiculturalism in Canada
June 27, 2021. OTTAWA, ON. Today, as Canadians from coast to coast to coast celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism Day we acknowledge the pivotal role that multiculturalism has played in defining our great country.
This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of the policy of multiculturalism, which was announced by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in October 1971 at the Triennial Congress of Ukrainian Canadians in Winnipeg.
Senator Paul Yuzyk and his wife, Mary, speaking with Prime Minister P.E. Trudeau, after he announced the policy of multiculturalism at the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in Winnipeg, October 9, 1971. Photo c/o www.yuzyk.com/
“As we celebrate Multiculturalism Day, we express our admiration and gratitude to the many educational, cultural and arts organizations and associations who have responded to the challenges of the pandemic and found creative and original ways to continue to educate our youth and celebrate our traditions,” stated Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the UCC. “The UCC will continue to advocate for strong government support for this vital programming.”
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) takes pride in the leading role that Ukrainian Canadians played in developing the policy of multiculturalism. Innovators such as Senator Paul Yuzyk – widely acknowledged as the “father of multiculturalism” – and many others, recognized that Canada as defined as a bicultural nation excluded Canada’s Indigenous peoples and the contributions of Canadians of non-British or non-French origins.
As part of the UCC’s 80th anniversary Project, we have produced a video about our community’s efforts in developing the policy of multiculturalism, which can be viewed below.
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