HISTORIC XXV CONGRESS OF UKRAINIAN CANADIANS CONCLUDES
Paul Grod re-elected National President
October 3, 2016. REGINA, SK. The historic XXV Congress of Ukrainian Canadians concluded yesterday in Regina, SK. 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 XXV Congress re-elected Paul Grod National President of the UCC. 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 XXV Congress.
Sworn into office by Ukrainian World Congress President Eugene Czolij, Paul 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 XXV Congress.
"It has been an honour 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 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."
Grod focused on the priorities for the next three years for the UCC, including
- continuing and increasing our 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 our existing member organizations;
- strengthening our constructive relationship with the Canadian government and elected officials;
- increasing youth engagement and re-establishing the UCC Parliamentary internship program. This year, 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. The list of sessions and speakers is available here and video recordings of these sessions will be posted on our website in the coming days.
A series of resolutins were passed that will help guide the work of the UCC for the next three years. The resolutions will be made available on our website in the coming days.
On October 2, the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, addressed the Congress. "Under the Labour Chapter of the new Free Trade Agreement signed this summer between Canada and Ukraine, I will be working with my Ukrainian counterparts to ensure labour 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 ten months to get ten 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."
UCC 75th Anniversary and Awards Banquet
On October 1, the UCC 75th Anniversary Banquet featured the presentation of thirteen Shevchenko Medals, the highest honour the Ukrainian Canadian community can award outstanding leaders. UCC Leadership and UCC Youth Leadership Awards were also presented. The Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, Her Honour the Honourable Vaughn Solomon Schofield joined Paul Grod and Chair of the UCC Awards and Recognition Committee Michael Hantzsch in presenting the Shevchenko Medals, UCC Leadership and UCC Youth leadership awards to the recipients.
At the banquet, the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, led a toast to Ukraine, and His Excellency Andriy Shevchenko, Ukraine's Ambassador to Canada, led a toast to Canada. The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety brought greetings on behalf of the Government of Canada, and Andrew Scheer, Member of Parliament, Regina-Qu'Appelle, brought greetings on behalf of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. Vyacheslav Kyrylenko, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, brought greetings on behalf of the Government of Ukraine.
125th Anniversary National Gala Showcase
A National Gala Showcase celebrating 125 years of Ukrainian immigration to Canada was presented on Friday September 30th at the Conexus Arts Centre. The concert featured over 160 talented musicians and dancers from across Canada including Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Calgary, Montreal, Toronto Saskatoon, Regina and New York City.
UCC Welcomes Incoming Board of Directors
October 4, 2016. OTTAWA, ON. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) is pleased to welcome the incoming Board of Directors, appointed at the XXV Triennial Congress of Ukrainian Canadians, held in Regina, SK on September 29-October 2, 2016. Over 250 delegates from coast to coast met to set the priorities and establish the leadership of the UCC for the next three years.
The XXV Congress also elected the officers of the Executive Committee, and the Board of Auditors of the UCC. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is the voice of Canada's 1.3-million strong Ukrainian community and brings together under one umbrella all the national, provincial and local Ukrainian Canadian organizations. The UCC represents the Ukrainian Canadian community before the people and Government of Canada, promotes linkages with Ukraine and identifies and addresses the needs of the Ukrainian community in Canada to ensure its continued existence and development for the enhancement of Canada's socio-cultural fabric.
"I sincerely thank the outgoing Board of Directors, Board of Auditors and Executive Committee of the UCC, with whom it has been my honour to work for the last three years. They served our community with professionalism, dedication and passion," stated Paul Grod, who was re-elected National President of the UCC. "I welcome the incoming members of the UCC National team, and I am confident that their commitment and energy will ensure the continued success of the UCC into the future."
Ukrainian Canadian Congress Board of Directors (2016-2019)
Name Executive Officers
Paul Grod National President
Alexandra Chyczij 1st Vice President
Andrea Kopylech 2nd Vice President
Yaroslaw Borys Secretary
Walter Dlugosh Treasurer
Board Members Organization
Vitaliy Milentiev Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce (CUCC)
Victor Hetmanczuk Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF)
Roman Kolos Canadian Lemko's Association
Eugen Duvalko Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society (CUIAS)
Krystina Waler Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund
Evhen Czolij Council of Ukrainian Credit Unions of Canada (CUCUC)
Lisa Shymko League of Ukrainian Canadian Women
Myroslava Pidhirnyj League of Ukrainian Canadians (LUK)
Ann Szyptur PLAST
Tania Dzulynsky Shevchenko Scientific Society
Olesia Luciw-Andryjowycz UCC Alberta Provincial Council
Yaro Gavrylko UCC British Columbia Provincial Council
Oksana Bondarchuk UCC Manitoba Provincial Council
Lidia Narozniak UCC Ontario Provincial Council
Halyna Holowka UCC Quebec Provincial Council
Mary Ann Trischuk UCC Saskatchewan Provincial Council
Markian Shwec UCC Toronto Branch
Markian Shulakewych Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences (UVAN)
Cassian Soltykevych Ukrainian Can. Students' Union (SUSK)
TBD* Ukrainian Canadian Bar Association
Andrew Hladyshevsky Q.C. Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko (UCFTS)
Taras Hetmanczuk Ukrainian Canadian Professional & Business Federation (UCPBF)
TBD* Ukrainian Canadian Research & Documentation Centre
TBD* Ukrainian Canadian Social Services of Canada
Headquarters (UCSS)
Orest Boychuk Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood of Canada
Marion Barszczyk Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada
Denis Hlynka Ukrainian Fraternal Society of Canada
TBD* Ukrainian National Assoc. Inc. (UNA)
Renata Roman Ukrainian National Federation of Canada (UNF)
Liza Zienchuk Ukrainian Orthodox Youth of Canada (CYMK)
Jars Balan Ukrainian Self-Reliance League of Canada (USRL/CYC)
Dennis Kuchta Ukrainian Self-Reliance Association of Canada (USRA/TYC)
Zora Jackson Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada
Olia Sheweli Ukrainian Women's Organization of Canada
TBD* Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM)
TBD* indicates a member organization which has not yet appointed a representative to the Board
Board of Auditors
Demyan Hyworon Chair Council of Ukrainian Credit Unions of Canada
Markian Shwec Member UCC Toronto Branch
Olia Sheweli Member Ukrainian Women's Organization of Canada
Dennis Kuchta Member Ukrainian Self-Reliance Association of Canada (USRA/TYC)
Alanna Mysak Member Ukrainian Canadian Congress Montreal Branch
Ernest Paluck Alternate Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood of Canada
Borys Mykhajlets Alternate League of Ukrainian Canadians (LUK)
