Canadian issues

On October 28, Canada observes National Internment Commemoration Day. Across the country, communities are hosting events to remember those affected by Canada’s First National Internment Operations, which unjustly imprisoned 8,579 Ukrainians and other Europeans from 1914-1920. Click here to find an event in your city this weekend and join others in commemorating this dark chapter in Canadian history. “This year our UCC National Internment Committee has expanded its Internment Education Campaign, encouraging the use of resources designed for both elementary and secondary students,” said Borys Sydoruk, Chair of the National Internment Commemoration Committee.“We encourage all Canadians to mark this important day of commemoration in...

I condemn TVO’s decision to help fund the film “Russians at War” using its funding allocation from the Canada Media Fund. The film “Russians at War” whitewashes Russia’s crimes against the people of Ukraine by falsely portraying members of Russia’s military as victims and by absolving them of their responsibility for the invasion of Ukraine and the war crimes they have committed. For years, the Russian military has committed genocide, rape, torture, murder and the mass systemic abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children - a crime for which the International Criminal Court has indicted Vladimir Putin. The director of...

Dear Minister Joly, Оn July 8, 2024, Russia launched a large-scale bombardment of more than 40 missiles targeting 14 cities across Ukraine. Ukraine's largest children’s hospital which carries out cancer treatment and organ transplants called Okhmadyt in Kyiv was heavily impacted by the Russian missile strike. According to Her Excellency Natalka Cmoc, Canada's Ambassador to Ukraine, who visited the site, there are currently 33 confirmed deaths and 167 people injured. The State Emergency Services are still actively clearing debris and cutting concrete at the dialysis centre, which was completely destroyed...

he Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, announced the appointment of Roman Dubczak, Deputy Chair, CIBC Capital Markets, as Canada’s representative to the Business Advisory Council (BAC) launched at the 2024 Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin, Germany, last week. Comprised of industry leaders from G7 countries, the BAC was established under the Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform for Ukraine (MDCP) to support business recovery in Ukraine and encourage new investments. It is anticipated that the BAC will boost trade and investment as key drivers of Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction and ...

The 10th KOBZAR Book Award Presentation was a great success! 150 guests from across Canada gathered on March 21 at Winnipeg’s Canadian Museum for Human Rights to celebrate our Canadian storytellers. The Ukrainian story in Canada spans over 130 years from the first settlers in 1891 to today’s newly arrived Ukrainians displaced by the war in their homeland. The Shevchenko Foundation launched the KOBZAR Book Award (KBA) with a mission to encourage writers to interpret our Ukrainian Canadian stories boldly and creatively for the world to enjoy...

September 23, 2023. OTTAWA, ON. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) welcomed Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President, and First Lady Olena Zelenska to Canada on their historic visit. President Zelenskyy addressed Canada’s Parliament, met with business leaders and, together with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, held an event with Canadians, including many members of the Ukrainian Canadian community, in Toronto. A UCC delegation headed by Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the UCC, attended President Zelenskyy’s address to Parliament. “In his historic address to Canada’s Parliament, President Zelenskyy made a passionate and compelling case for increasing military and economic aid to Ukraine to ensure Ukraine’s victory over Russia’s genocidal aggression.” stated Chyczij. “President Zelenskyy’s visit highlighted the...

On August 24, 2023, Ottawa Supports Ukraine Democracy (OSUD) organized an event "Solidarity on Independence Day - Invincible KYIV" at the Canadian War Museum with the support and sponsorship from BCU Financial and BCU Foundation. The highlight of the event was the streaming of the documentary “Against All Odds” by film director, Artem Lytvynenko, and Q&A session with the director that followed. The documentary dives into military analysis and portrays the pivotal moments that thwarted the Russian invasion. Guests also had an opportunity to take part in a silent auction and view the exhibition "4 Seasons" which showcased specific items and events symbolizing the triumphs and ...

Fifteen people died when a bus crashed into a lorry on the Trans-Canada Highway near Carberry, two hours west of Winnipeg, last week. One more victim died from her injuries on Wednesday. "The impact of this loss will be felt for a long time to come," said RCMP Supt Jeff Asmundson on Thursday. Nine people are still in hospital with serious injuries. Most of the elderly people aboard the bus were from Dauphin, Manitoba, and the surrounding areas. They were traveling to the Sand Hills Casino in the town of Carberry...

The 2023 Tryzub Awards Gala united 260 guests on May 11 at the Art Gallery of Ontario in a tribute to the heroic defenders of Ukraine and a celebration of the Ukrainian identity for which they continue to fight. Boris Horodynsky and William Browder were honoured with Tryzub Awards – each recipient being recognized for their respective contribution to strengthening the Ukrainian brand. Ukrainian musician and choirmaster Pavlo Fondera opened the evening’s program by singing a “Prayer for Ukraine.” Shevchenko Foundation (TSF) President Boris Balan delivered welcoming remarks, focusing on the consequences of the war on cultural preservation and development both in Ukraine and Canada. “As we continue to watch the genocidal attempts of an aggressor nation to eradicate Ukrainian culture and identity, TSF understands that its role as...

To commemorate and celebrate #Vyshyvanka Day, as Chair of the Canada Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, I organized an all-party photo in the House of Commons. I have been celebrating Vyshyvanka Day for many years, wearing the Vyshyvanka (the embroidered shirt) that was made for me by my grandparents, Olena and Ivan. For Ukrainians, the embroidered shirt is not just a garment but a sacred emblem of Ukrainian culture, tradition, and history since ancient times. The embroidery tradition has been passed on from generation to generation, as well as the spirit of freedom, courage, and bravery. Today as Ukraine faces Russian genocide, people around the world wear a Ukrainian embroidered shirt to show support for their fight for freedom and independence. Since the beginning of Russia's brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the...