March 26, 2026. OTTAWA, ON. Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) attended meetings in Ottawa on March 24-25 to advocate for our community’s policy priorities – increased military and economic support for Ukraine and support for displaced Ukrainians in Canada.
“In the last days Russia has launched some of the most barbaric air attacks against Ukrainian civilians of the entire war. Ukraine can defeat Russia and return peace to Europe but to do so Ukraine needs the sustained and increased support of Canada and allies,” Chyczij stated.
On March 24, Chyczij and Ann Szyptur, Chair of the UCC National Foundation, met with the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Chyczij briefed Minister Anand ahead of the G7 Foreign Ministers meeting. Chyczij thanked Minister Anand for her strong commitment to supporting Ukraine.
Chyczij stated that a strong, free and democratic Ukraine is a core national security interest for Canada. In order to secure Ukraine’s victory, Canada can increase the delivery of military assistance; increase investments in joint Canada-Ukraine defence production; increase support for private sector investments; make Russia pay for its aggression and keep Russia diplomatically isolated.
Chyczij also met with the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, to discuss Canada’s support for displaced Ukrainians and the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program.
Chyczij thanked Minister Diab for supporting Ukrainian displaced persons. Chyczij called on the Minister to establish a pathway to permanent residency for Ukrainians and highlighted the work of the UCC’s Immigration Policy Committee, co-chaired by Olena Bulat and Dmytro Malyk.
On March 25, Chyczij met with the Honourable Senator Stan Kutcher to thank Senator Kutcher for his leadership in supporting Ukraine and displaced Ukrainians in the Senate – and for introducing Bill S-210, An act respecting Ukrainian Heritage which passed the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage today.
Chyczij then testified at the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. Her testimony can be viewed below.
