October 22, 2024. OTTAWA, ON. Delegates representing Ukrainian organizations from across Canada participated in Ukrainian Canadian Congress Advocacy Day on Parliament Hill on October 21.
UCC delegations met with over 50 Members of Parliament and Senators. The UCC advocated for Canadian support for Ukrainian Victory which requires increased military and economic support for Ukraine, a tougher response to Russia’s genocidal war against Ukraine, and continued support for Ukrainian displaced persons.
“We will soon mark 1000 days since Russia launched a full-scale genocidal war against Ukraine. Ukraine can – and will – defeat Russia. But in order for Ukraine to win quickly, Canada and allies must substantially increase support and take stronger measures against Russia,” stated Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the UCC. “The UCC is grateful to everyone who participated in our Advocacy Day, and to MPs and Senators who met with our delegations. It was especially inspiring to see youth leaders in our community taking part in advocacy work.”
UCC Youth Ambassadors participated in the delegations.
UCC delegations met with the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada; the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, several Cabinet Ministers and Liberal Party MPs. Delegations also met with Shadow Ministers and Conservative Party MPs, the Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party and several Senators.
For a full list of Parliamentarians with whom the UCC met, please see here:
MPs were asked to support three main policy recommendations:
- Provide Ukraine with more assistance. Canada needs to provide Ukraine with more weapons; more assistance with winterization and energy; and more financial and budgetary assistance.
- Get tougher on Russia. Canada needs to designate Russia a terrorist state; expel Russia’s diplomats from Canada and complete the ban on Russian state media on Canada’s internet.
- Help Ukrainians who are in Canada 300,000 Ukrainians displaced by the war are in Canada on the emergency visa program. They need continued support and the ability to continue to work while here.
The briefing note that UCC delegations presented to MPs and Senators is available here:
Brief from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress: Canada’s support for Ukrainian Victory
For photos from UCC Advocacy Day please click here:
