April 21, 2023. OTTAWA, ON. Ihor Michalchyshyn, CEO and Executive Director of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and Orest Zakydalsky, UCC Senior Policy Advisor, testified at the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence, in hearings on Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Michalchyshyn and Zakydalsky briefed the Committee about Russia’s crimes against humanity and war crimes against Ukraine. Michalchyshyn stated, “Russia is a criminal state that must be isolated from the international community. The UCC has consistently argued that Russia must be designated a state supporter of terrorism and that Russian diplomats must be expelled from Canada. I ask that this Committee support these calls.”
Michalchyshyn and Zakydalsky shared recommendations for Canadian policy to aid Ukraine in winning the war. The UCC calls for Canada to:
- Substantially increase the delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine – tanks, armoured personnel carriers, long-range missile systems, air defence systems, naval defence systems and requisite ammunition.
- Work with allies to increase the provision of fighter aircraft to Ukraine.
- Contract with the defence industry to substantially increase production and procurement of armaments and materiel.
The briefing note presented to the Committee is available here:
UCC Brief to Defence Committee – Russia’s war against Ukraine
