Ontario MP praises agreement on redress (09/04/05)

Ontario MP praises agreement on redress

REGINA, Saskatchewan - Liberal MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj (Etobicoke Center, Ontario) praised Prime Minister Paul Martin and the government of Canada for doing what governments of the past 80 years have failed to do: recognize the hardships suffered by Ukrainian Canadians as a result of wartime measures during World War I and immigration restrictions imposed on them by the government of the day - with a $2.5 million initial contribution toward the commemoration of the community's experiences.

Speaking following the prime minister's announcement in Regina, in which an agreement in principle with the Ukrainian Canadian community had been outlined, Mr. Wrzesnewskyj stated: "Representatives of the Ukrainian Canadian community have been working on this for decades. After countless working meetings over the past year with officials in Justice, Heritage, the Prime Minister's Office and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, I am thrilled that this very important first step toward commemorating the hardships of the community is being undertaken through this agreement in principle."

"I would like to thank Multiculturalism Minister Raymond Chan for his efforts. I would particularly like to thank Prime Minister Paul Martin for his personal involvement on this file," he said, adding, "The Prime Minister has once again demonstrated his sensitivity on issues of concern for the Ukrainian Canadian community. Without him, we wouldn't be here today."

In keeping with the federal government's policy on historical redress, the 2005 federal budget announced funding of $25 million over three years to acknowledge, commemorate and educate Canadians about the historical experiences of ethno-cultural communities affected by wartime measures and immigration restrictions.

The agreement in principle with the Ukrainian Canadian community includes an initial contribution of $2.5 million to the Shevchenko Foundation through the Acknowledgement, Commemoration and Education (ACE) Program.

The agreement also provides for the implementation of various commemorative projects over the next three years. In addition, the agreement envisions the preparation by the Ukrainian Canadian community of proposals on how to educate Canadians about their historical experiences and Ukrainian Canadian community's contributions to Canada.

Mr. Wrzesnewskyj said he is pleased to have worked closely with representatives of the Ukrainian Canadian community and the Liberal government, including fellow Liberal MP Walt Lastewka, to broker this initial installment of what will be a broader agreement.

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