COMMENTARY: On the eve of Canada's federal election: beware of Liberals bearing gifts (they aren't) (06/20/04)

COMMENTARY

On the eve of Canada's federal election: beware of Liberals bearing gifts (they aren't)

by Lubomyr Luciuk

A federal election takes place on June 28. In the past, like many of my fellow Ukrainian Canadians, I have tended to give my vote, a precious thing, to the political party I thought could best run the country. I have voted in every election I could. Those who know me will attest that I have probably voted, at different times, for each of the several parties spread across the Canadian political spectrum. I say "probably" because how I vote is no one's business, not theirs, nor yours. It's a secret, between the ballot box and me, as it should be for you.

That said, I think Canadians of Ukrainian heritage - and there are now well over a million people of us - need to carefully consider how to vote in the next federal election.

I think we should vote strategically, that is, not on the basis of which party might do the best for our economy, or health care, or defense, or any other national issue, and not for the local candidate whom you happen to feel is the "best man" for the job.

Rather, as Canadians of Ukrainian roots, we should give our mandate only to the party or person who is prepared, before any votes are counted, to step forward and publicly confirm that they will do what is best for our community, the "hromada." Or, in the alternative, we should vote against the candidate or party that has ignored, belittled or even acted against the interests of Ukrainian Canadians.

First, what are those interests? In a broad sense, I would assert that the organized community must focus its limited resources on ensuring that whenever any of us publicly identify ourselves as Ukrainian Canadian, regardless of whether we live in Vancouver or Vegreville, Mississauga or Montreal, that we can do so with pride, without anxiety about exposing ourselves to ridicule or prejudice.

To have such confidence we must make it clear that we will not tolerate those who have attempted to marginalize, stereotype or sideline us - past, present, or even in future. If you, your children, or your grandchildren, feel that "being Ukrainian" can, in any way, bring setback or shame, the chances are that you, or they, will abandon the community. Many already have. Why? In part, of course, it's because there are many distractions, everything from inter-marriage to the Internet.

There is precious little one can do about most of these alternatives and we probably shouldn't even try. Integration, when voluntary, particularly in a society that is genuinely inclusive, may well result in the emergence of a distinct Canadian identity, a nice goal. But until that happens we will continue to live and work in one that is manifestly not a "level playing field." Within contemporary Canada who you are (where you or your ancestors came from, if you identify with that) largely determines how you end up, professionally, economically and socially. So we do have collective interests, based on ancestry and self-identification, that we must articulate, advance and defend.

Two issues stand out. One is redress for the injustices perpetrated against Ukrainians and other Europeans during this country's first national internment operations of 1914-1920. That was a long time ago, true. But this is a national issue that can bind us together. It is not just about western Canada (the first camp, Fort Henry, was in my home town of Kingston, Ontario) nor one that only the progeny of the pioneers can address. Ukrainians were collectively singled out for national humiliation and the fledgling community's psyche was irrevocably damaged.

We have come a long way since, true, and many of us have done very well, likewise true, but as a group we need to "win" on this, to demonstrate that we remember what happened and to ensure it never happens again, to any other ethnic, religious or racial minority.

Taking up this cause is not only just but, paradoxically, strengthens Canada, for to right this historical wrong we must work toward reconciliation with the federal government. When we achieve that, Canada will become "our home and native land," even more than it already is.

The other issue goes by an acronym, D&D, which stands for denaturalization and deportation. Since 1995, this has been the preferred option of the Liberal-dominated government when dealing with persons who, allegedly, participated in war crimes during the second world war. Again, this is not an issue that is important only for Ukrainians who arrived here post-war, or for those who live in central Canada, the so-called DPs (displaced persons), or their kids.

When the news media routinely portrays Ukraine as the land of the pogroms and Ukrainians as Nazi collaborators then all of our children, perhaps a fourth-generation Prairie-born student for example, whether at high school or in university, will be taught that Ukrainians are killers, depraved and debauched. So will his or her friends. Hardly an attractive brand for anyone to associate with.

What has all this to do with how you vote in a federal election? First of all, be sure to. Far too many fail to exercise their democratic responsibility to shape the government that may rule for years, if not decades. If you don't vote don't bother to bitch later on.

Having said that I have some advice about particular politicians. If you are living in Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette, a Manitoba riding, vote for Inky Mark, a Chinese Canadian. Otherwise send his re-election campaign a donation. Mr. Mark is the best friend the Ukrainian Canadian community has in the House of Commons today. He is a Conservative. So is Pictou's Peter MacKay, another supporter of redress. A Liberal from Kitchener-Waterloo, Andrew Telegdi, has been stalwart in challenging the injustice of D&D. In Kingston there's another Liberal, Peter Milliken, the first MP to stand in Parliament and advocate a resolution of the Ukrainian Canadian redress issue, although as speaker of the House he must now remain silent on this cause. Out in Edmonton, Liberal David Kilgour has likewise been on side, often. These are all good men. There aren't many of them.

So more generic comments are called for. In 1993, Jean Chrétien, then opposition leader and eventually the prime minister, personally promised his support, and that of the Liberal Party of Canada, for redress. Ukrainians were encouraged to vote for him by the Liberals in our midst. Yet that pledge was not honored, despite over 10 years of Liberal rule, and dozens of requests for a settlement tendered by our community.

When the Liberal Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps tried to settle this issue she was sidetracked, eventually sent packing by the current Prime Minister, Paul Martin. He and the Liberal Party continue to ignore our community's calls for a reconciliation settlement. They don't answer memoranda on the subject, even those tendered by the "Ukrainian Canadian Liberal Committee."

In contrast, the new Conservative Party of Canada, under Stephen Harper, has endorsed redress to Ukrainian and Chinese Canadians, thanks in large measure to the work of Mr. Mark. That deserves our gratitude at the polling stations.

And, lest I be accused of right-wing bias, note that the New Democratic Party also has announced that it favors redress, so a vote for Jack Layton's NDP also sends the right message to those who listen only when they have to. Recently the support of Gilles Duceppe and the Bloc Quebecois came through for both of Inky Mark's private member's bills on redress to the Chinese and Ukrainian communities. If you happen to be a Ukrainian Quebecer that gives you another party to consider. Many Greens also endorse these two bills. Yet another fine alternative.

Most Liberal candidates for office haven't bothered to answer the Canadian Redress Survey. In a week or so the full results of the CSR will be posted at www.uccla.ca. Anyone wanting to know how her/his candidate responded when asked about the Ukrainian Canadian Restitution Act and the Chinese Canadian Recognition and Reconciliation Act can look it up. Be informed before you vote.

Remember that even a few hundred votes can change who holds a seat in several federal ridings, particularly those with large Ukrainian and/or Chinese constituencies. Remove a deputy prime minister in Edmonton, for example, or even a Liberal backbencher from Toronto, and we may not see justice done but we will make sure the Liberal Party, which brought us D&D and ignores us on redress will feel our pain. Since 1993 they have backhanded us. It's pay-back time.

Becoming influential players again on the national scene is something our community should strive for. That goal can be secured now, during a federal election, when the powers that be need us. This is our chance. It comes around only every few years. We cannot allow ourselves to be distracted by minor issues. The Liberals won't settle with us on redress, as they promised to, so they don't deserve our votes. They won't trash D&D. They won't apply it to all the alleged war criminals collecting pensions in Canada (and there are at least three people here who served the Soviets). So don't vote Liberal, not this time around.

We asked for redress and they promised it, more than 10 years ago. But the only "gift" the Liberals actually ever brought us was D&D.

Remember that before you vote.

This commentary represents the personal opinion of Dr. Lubomyr Luciuk, an academic, writer and Ukrainian Canadian community activist who lives in Kingston, Ontario.

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