Paul Grod re-elected national president
REGINA, Saskatchewan – The XXV Congress of Ukrainian Canadians concluded here on October 2. Over 250 delegates from coast to coast elected the Ukrainian Canadian Congress board of directors and executive committee officers for the next three years. The congress re-elected Paul Grod as national president. Alexandra Chyczij and Andrea Kopylech were elected vice-presidents; Walter Dlugosh was elected treasurer; and Yaroslaw Borys was elected secretary. The first board meeting was held after the conclusion of the triennial congress.
Sworn into office by Ukrainian World Congress President Eugene Czolij, Mr. Grod expressed gratitude to the UCC Saskatchewan Provincial Council and its president, MaryAnn Trischuk; UCC Regina and its president, Orest Gawdyda; and Oksana Zwarych, chair of the XXV Congress Organizing Committee; the staff of the UCC Saskatchewan office and UCC National, and all those involved in organizing the congress for their warm hospitality, dedication, commitment and hard work in ensuring the resounding success of the Congress.
“It has been an honor for me to serve our community as president of the UCC. I very much look forward to continuing to work with all of you in this next term,” stated Mr. Grod. “I would like to thank the outgoing board of directors and executive committee for their exemplary service, enthusiasm and commitment to our common purpose, and acknowledge the incoming board and executive for taking on the responsibility of serving our community.”
Mr. Grod focused on the priorities for the next three years for the UCC, including:
• continuing and increasing the UCC’s support for Ukraine’s reforms process and strengthening Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russia’s war of aggression;
• establishing an endowment to ensure the long-term financial success and sustainability of the many important programs of the UCC;
• expanding the UCC’s membership base and strengthening existing member organizations;
• strengthening the UCC’s constructive relationship with the Canadian government and elected officials;
• increasing youth engagement and re-establishing the UCC parliamentary internship program. (This year, he noted, over 40 delegates at the congress represented Ukrainian Canadian youth organizations, almost twice as many as at the previous congress in 2013.)
During the numerous plenary and breakout sessions at the XXV Congress, delegates had an opportunity to listen to experts, discuss key issues of importance to our community and develop implementation plans. Resolutions were passed that will help guide the work of the UCC for the next three years.
UCC 75th anniversary banquet
On October 1, the UCC 75th anniversary banquet featured the presentation of 13 Shevchenko Medals, the highest honor the Ukrainian Canadian community can award outstanding leaders. UCC Leadership and UCC Youth Leadership Awards were also presented.
Lieutenant Governor Vaughn Solomon Schofield of Saskatchewan joined Mr. Grod and the chair of the UCC Awards and Recognition Committee, Michael Hantzsch, in presenting the medals and awards.
Norbert K. Iwan
Ukrainian World Congress President Eugene Czolij (left) swears in newly re-elected UCC National President Paul Grod.
At the banquet, Minister of Foreign Affairs Stéphane Dion led a toast to Ukraine, and Ukraine’s Ambassador to Canada, Andriy Shevchenko, led a toast to Canada. Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale brought greetings on behalf of the government of Canada, and Member of Parliament Andrew Scheer (Regina-Qu’Appelle) brought greetings on behalf of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. Vice Prime Minister Vyacheslav Kyrylenko brought greetings on behalf of the government of Ukraine.
125th anniversary national gala
A national gala showcase celebrating 125 years of Ukrainian immigration to Canada was presented on Friday, September 30, at the Conexus Arts Center. The concert featured over 160 talented musicians and dancers from across Canada including Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan; Ottawa; Montreal; and Toronto; as well as New York City.
Congress sessions
The first day of the triennial Congress of Ukrainian Canadians opened with Engage-Inspire-Empower presentations on a series of ongoing, new and important community projects honoring and commemorating the past.
The XXV Congress was officially opened by President Trischuk, of the Saskatchewan Provincial Council of the UCC. Greg Ottenbreit, Saskatchewan’s minister responsible for rural and remote health, brought greetings on behalf of the provincial government, and Canada’a Minister of Public Safety Goodale brought greetings on behalf of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Mr. Goodale stated, “In Canada, supporting Ukraine is a non-partisan issue that transcends our political divisions. Canada shares a special bond with Ukraine, and has been enriched by the many accomplishments of Ukrainian-Canadians. All Canadians support a free, secure, democratic, prosperous and successful Ukraine.”
Ukraine’s First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Trade Stepan Kubiv and Vice Prime Minister Kyrylenko addressed the XXV Congress on behalf of Ukraine’s government.
“Today, Ukraine is united. The president, government and Parliament are working together on important and complex reforms. We have begun systemic changes in the country, achieved economic stabilization and GDP growth,” stated Minister Kubiv. “Ukraine is demonstrating decisiveness in the reform process. That is why the support of Canada’s Ukrainian community is so needed and so valuable. Thanks to this support, we will triumph in the battle for a worthy future for Ukraine.”
Following the opening ceremony, the congress delegates adopted the program, elected the Resolutions Committee, approved the Minutes of the 2013 congress, and heard the reports of the Verification, Nominations, Finance and Audit committees.
At lunch, Canada’s Minister of International Trade Chrystia Freeland delivered a passionate and moving keynote address to the Congress. “Canada is determined to support the Ukrainian people as they work to build a more secure, stable and prosperous Ukraine,” she stated. “Our new Free Trade Agreement will help create economic growth and more jobs for Ukrainians and Canadians, especially for the middle class and those working hard to join it.”
UCC National President Grod then delivered his report, highlighting the UCC’s accomplishments over the past three years, as well as the work of its member organizations that function in all areas of Ukrainian community life in Canada – education, health, youth engagement, service groups and caring for our elderly. Mr. Grod also underlined the UCC’s role in supporting the people and government of Ukraine as Ukraine battles Russia’s aggression and undertakes a comprehensive reforms process.
In the afternoon, breakout sessions focused on developing priorities, strategies and future direction for the UCC. The themes included: Is Ukraine Open for Business?; Ukrainian Education in Canada; Effective Communications Strategies for the Ukrainian Community; Best Practices in Not-for-Profit Governance; Giving Voice to Ukrainian Canadian Stories – Kobzar Award Winners.
Canada’s new support for Ukraine
On the second day of the congress, October 1, Minister Dion announced that Canada will provide up to $8.1 million in new funding to support the National Police of Ukraine. The new funding includes:
• up to $6.6 million over three years in support of a Police Training Assistance Project for Ukraine, including up to $100,000 for monitoring and evaluation activities, to support cadet and leadership training, outreach and public engagement activities, and the development of a police academy;
• up to $1.5 million toward the Ukraine Police Equipment Project to better equip the National Police of Ukraine, thereby transforming it into a more effective police service; and
• up to $40,000 through the Ukrainian Canadian Congress’s Ukraine Appeal, which collected funds for shipping and logistics to adapt vehicles, paramedic equipment and expertise to share with the conflict-affected people of Eastern Ukraine.
Minister Dion stated: “Canada stands strongly with the people of Ukraine. We are working closely with the National Police of Ukraine to transform Ukraine’s police service into an effective, accountable and community-focused institution that embodies public trust. Today’s announcement demonstrates our unwavering commitment to Ukraine and our encouragement of its efforts to counter corruption and secure sustainable reform.”
In his address to the congress delegates, Mr. Dion said: “Canada will stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. Our bond is historic; our bond is durable. We will stand shoulder to shoulder to support Ukraine in its quest for a secure, stable and prosperous country that could serve as a model in the region and become in itself the best rebuke to [Russian president Vladimir] Putin’s attempts to determine its future.”
Second day of congress sessions
The second day of the Congress began with a plenary session on “Post-Maidan Ukraine: Battling the Russian Invasion while Reforming Ukraine’s Government,” during which Ministers Kubiv and Kyrylenko were joined by video conference from Kyiv by Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine Roman Waschuk and Former Minister of Finance of Ukraine Natalia Jaresko. The panel addressed successes and challenges in the reform process in Ukraine, and outlined what we can do to help shape the new Ukraine.
Two rounds of breakout sessions followed the morning plenary; presenters and delegates focused on developing priorities, strategies and future directions for the UCC in such realms as youth and newcomer engagement; Ukrainian Canadian arts and culture; immigration; fund-raising; historical commemoration; and community advocacy.
Final day of congress
On the third and final day of the congress, on October 2, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labor MaryAnn Mihychuk addressed the Congress. “Under the Labor Chapter of the new Free Trade Agreement signed this summer between Canada and Ukraine, I will be working with my Ukrainian counterparts to ensure labor standards in both our countries meet international commitments,” Minister Mihychuk stated.
“I also want to recognize the hard work of John Holuk, who’s been working with me over the last 10 months to get 10 ambulances, donated by Canadian provinces, over to Ukraine to provide critical aid to people in the war-torn areas. I also want to tell you that I am committed to following up on that aid with more support for training on the ground,” the minister added.
Representatives of the UCC had the opportunity to meet with Minister Mihychuk on the margins of the congress. During the meeting, they discussed labor standards and the CUFTA, as well as the possibility of Canada providing experts and sharing best practices in the field of mine safety. They also discussed increasing the participation of Ukrainian citizens in Canada’s Temporary Foreign Workers’ Program.
A delegation of Ukrainian Canadian community leaders also had the opportunity during the congress to meet with Foreign Affairs Minister Dion. They discussed the current situation in Ukraine and Canada’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity; Canada’s security and military support, including Operation UNIFIER, and the reforms process. Mr. Grod thanked Minister Dion for the Canada government’s announcement of new funding to support reform of the National Police in Ukraine and for its ongoing diplomatic and practical support for Ukraine.