Canadian MPs called to support redress bill in its second reading (03/27/05)

Canadian MPs called to support redress bill in its second reading

Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association

TORONTO - On Thursday, March 24, Conservative Member of Parliament Inky Mark's private member's Bill C-331 - the Ukrainian Canadian Restitution Act, will be given a second reading in the House of Commons, at 5:30 p.m.

Bill C-331 already enjoys the support of the Conservative Party of Canada, the Bloc Quebecois and the New Democratic Party, as well as that of some Liberal MPs. It also enjoys the endorsement of the Ukrainian Canadian community.

Speaking about the forthcoming second reading, the UCCLA's director of research, Dr. Lubomyr Luciuk, said: "We were somewhat disappointed to have the speaker of the house, the Honourable Peter Milliken, state that Bill C-331 would require a Royal Recommendation, given his view that it imposes a financial obligation on the government of Canada."

"We have called for an official recognition of the injustice done to Ukrainians and other Europeans needlessly imprisoned as 'enemy aliens' during Canada's first national internment operations and for a series of commemorative and educational projects, paid for using the contemporary value of that portion of the internees' confiscated wealth that was never returned, along with the value of the internees' forced labor," Dr. Luciuk explained. "In other words, it would not cost today's taxpayers anything to implement the initiatives we have outlined in our various submissions to the government of Canada, many of which were already agreed to by the previous Minister of Canadian Heritage, Sheila Copps."

Dr. Luciuk also said that the UCCLA finds it "troubling that Mr. Milliken would rule against a bill that, in the main, is no different than what he himself proposed on September 27, 1991. His motion was unanimously consented to by the parties then seated in the House of Commons. It is unfortunate that the Liberal Party of Canada has not lived up to the pledge made by its previous leader, the Right Honorable Jean Chrétien, who promised his personal support, and that of his party, for redress to the Ukrainian Canadian community."

The UCCLA noted that it is calling upon MPs from all of the political parties represented in the House of Commons to support Bill C-331 on its second reading this Thursday and again on April 6 when it may be voted upon.

"In particular, we expect to see those MPs who are of Ukrainian heritage present in the House on March 24, there to make their views publicly known on this welcome Conservative initiative. It's time for all MPs to stand up and be counted where it counts, which is in public and in Parliament," Dr. Luciuk stated.

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