Canadian issues

On July 17, 2020 an article appeared in the Ottawa Citizen with a shocking and misleading headline about a “Nazi monument” in Canada being vandalized. [Graffiti on Monument commemorating Nazi SS division being investigated as a hate crime by police] The article propagates the narrative originating from the Russian Embassy in Canada, that Ukrainians in general, and particularly all Ukrainians who took up arms against the Soviet Union during the Second World War, are “fascists” and “Nazis”. These Soviet-era allegations about their involvement in war crimes have never been substantiated, which is a matter of public record, not opinion, and is not reflected in the July 17 article...

You are no doubt aware of a recent controversy and discussion surrounding a memorial to “Galicia Division” veterans, given an active defamation campaign and recent acts of vandalism against our community. Please allow me to provide some critical information for your reference and context. A mature and informed perspective on the history of the Twentieth Century suggests that there were many perpetrators of many crimes against humanity. The organizational prowess and geographical reach of two lead antagonists in that conflict – The Soviet Union and Nazi Germany – means that coercion was broadly used to press surrogates into service to do much of the “dirty work” of both sides...

Yes, the Ukrainian Music Festival (UMF) conducted its 49th annual competition on December 6,7, and the closing concert on December 8, 2019. Over three days young musicians played piano, violin, bandura, sopilka and voice - in solo, duets or ensembles. The UMF has had the same format since its inception 49 years ago. It was based on Kiwanis and other festivals and carefully devised by the music visionary and founder of the Ukrainian Music Festival – Marta Krawciw-Barabash, whose goal was to introduce and integrate music of Ukrainian composers into the mainstream music repertoire. As such UMF continues to this day, now under the capable leadership of Mika Barabash-Shepherd. Young musicians learn...

In the game of dominoes that is behind the making of Justin Trudeau's second term cabinet, Chrystia Freeland's shift from the global scene to the domestic stage is the defining move. Her appointment as deputy prime minister solidifies her first place in the Liberal line of succession to Trudeau. But her lead position on the federal-provincial front also puts her in the line of fire in ways her previous brief at foreign affairs did not. Between now and the next election, a hail of provincial bullets will be headed her way and not only from the Prairie provinces. Some of those bullets could do more harm to her political future than anything the Donald Trump White House has shot her way over the course of the recent NAFTA renegotiation. (Freeland retains responsibility for Canada/U.S. relations.) In contrast with the trade file, Freeland will not be able to count on the tacit support of a Canadian...

The romantic musical "Hutsulka Ksenya" was a salient part of the program of the Ukrainian Film Days in Toronto which was held August 30 – September 1, 2019 at the Carlton Cinema. The program showcased select Ukrainian films produced in 2018: “The Wild Fields” film directed by Yaroslav Lodygin, “Donbas” satiric drama directed by Sergey Loznitsa, “Volcano” comedy and drama directed by Roman Bondarchuk, “The Stolen Princess” animated film directed by Oleg Malamuzh and the award-winning musical “Hutsulka Ksenya” by Olena Demyanenko. It is a gem of a film about the Ukrainian highlanders of the Carpathian Mountains - the Hutsuls - immersed in their unique milieu of ancient lore, legends, beliefs, mores, customs, music, songs, speech, humour, and drama, which is...

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress -Toronto Branch is eagerly anticipating the official unveiling of the Holodomor Memorial which is to be held on October 21, 2018 at the Princes’ Gates – the main entrance to the Canadian Exhibition Place in Toronto. The Holodomor Memorial Parkette which broke ground on April 11, 2017 will be a space of reflection and acknowledgement of the extreme inhumanity and tragic events that have occurred in Ukraine in 1932-33. It will be unite contemporary citizens of Toronto, of Ontario, and of all ethnic backgrounds in the spirit of mutual empathy for past sufferings, affirmation of the value of every individual human life, and aspirations for a just and humane society. Thanks to John Tory, the Mayor of Toronto, the Toronto City Council as well as the Exhibition Place Board of Governors, the construction of the Holodomor Memorial Parkette, has progressed efficiently. Toronto will join the ranks of other world renowned cities that already feature such a monument, namely Kyiv, Washington and Edmonton...

The Canadian government is expected to sign an arms export permit, which will significantly enhance the capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in deterring Russian aggression. Canada's Selkirk-Interlake MP James Bezan has said the Canadian arms company signed a contract for the supply of sniper rifles to Ukraine and is now awaiting the Canadian government's approval for their export. In an interview with UA.TV, Bezan said there was...

As a political pioneer, Michael Starr (1910-2000) accomplished many firsts and opened the political doors to other members of the various ethnocultural groups. How did a son of Ukrainian immigrants rise through the Canadian political system and reach the position of a cabinet minister? What were the steps in this political “ladder” to Ottawa? How did the ethnocultural communities contribute to Starr’s political success? This newly published study by Myron Momryk examines Mike Starr’s career in an attempt to answer some of these questions. Mike Starr became involved in municipal affairs during the...

Canada is unwavering in its support for Ukraine as that country takes the necessary steps to secure its future as a stable, democratic and prosperous country. This includes helping the Government of Ukraine advance its democratic and economic reform processes so it can be accountable to its citizens and helping rebalance socio-economic inequalities among Ukrainians. Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development, announced a new call for preliminary proposals entitled “Growth that works for everyone—Inclusive and shared prosperity in Ukraine.” The $30-million call for...

On October 17, 2017, Bill S-226, the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law), received final approval in the Senate of Canada. “Bill S-226 places a discretionary tool at the government’s disposal to apply sanctions against foreign nationals responsible for, or complicit in, significant acts of corruption and gross violations of internationally recognized human rights,” said Senator Andreychuk, who is the sponsor of Bill S-226. “Through the application of asset freezes and travel bans, Canada will no longer be used to enable or shelter foreign nationals responsible for these violations.”...