Canadian issues

Valentina Lisitsa, a well-known classical pianist whose Twitter feed regularly features barbed political commentary about the conflict in Ukraine, was dropped from two performances this week with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, after the ensemble cited concerns over her "deeply offensive" and "provocative" online remarks. Lisitsa, a Ukrainian-American who was scheduled to perform Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Toronto Symphony (TSO) this Wednesday and Thursday, took to Facebook on Monday to accuse the orchestra of censorship. "Yes, Toronto Symphony is...

On April 17, 2015 it was announced that Canada will be sending an additional 178 state-of-the-art night vision goggles to Ukraine. This newest shipment of specialized equipment compliments the 60 night vision goggles already delivered to Ukraine in March, bringing the total to 238. “We believe that these goggles will enhance the capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces in their fight to defend their country’s sovereignty and their territorial integrity,” stated Conservative MP Ted Opitz. The goggles, for which the Government of Canada has...

International Trade Minister Ed Fast joins Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre Ted Opitz and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for the Francophonie Bernard Trottier at a round table for Ukrainian-Canadian community leaders from the Greater Toronto Area to discuss recent events in Ukraine and the Canadian-Ukrainian partnership. Canada is at the forefront of the international support for the Ukrainian people in their opposition to...

On 28 October 2014 Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij spoke to members of the University of Ottawa Ukrainian Students’ Club in Ottawa, Canada, on the topic World Crisis with Ukraine in the Forefront. In his address the UWC President noted that EuroMaidan was testimony to the maturity and unity of the Ukrainian nation in the fight for the ideals of democracy and Ukrainian statehood, and debunked the myth about the invincibility of the Russian Federation. He also emphasized that events surrounding the annexation of Crimea by Russia and its current aggression in Eastern Ukraine constitute a global crisis. Eugene Czolij further shared information about the work of the UWC dedicated to...

In the House of Commons, James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk-Interlake gave the following statement on the illegal elections held in Eastern Ukraine: “Mr. Speaker, “Just one week after the Ukrainian Parliamentary Elections, the Kremlin-backed terrorist groups of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics held pseudo-elections in Eastern Ukraine that were illegal and illegitimate. “Ballots were cast in the presence of armed men, and information was actively spread that those who did not come to vote would be deemed "disloyal" and judged according to martial law. “Pensioners were told...

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) shares the sadness of the Canadian people over the killings of soldiers in two separate incidents, the most recent in the nation’s capital city Ottawa. “The Ukrainian World Congress expresses condolences to the families of the victims who lost their lives in these senseless acts of violence, and we stand with all Canadians in defence of the freedom and democratic principles to which these men were...

Over the past year Ukraine has figured prominently in global media. The world has watched as Russia, a country once considered to be a strategic partner in global affairs, invaded Ukraine, annexed Crimea, and launched a war in the country’s east. 81 years ago a different crisis was raging in Ukraine, but this time it was one that largely went unnoticed by the West. Now known as the Holodomor, this crisis was a genocide in which millions of Ukrainians were ruthlessly and purposely starved to death. Much like the situation today, the Holodomor was also planned and executed by the Kremlin. It is this interplay ...

It is a deeply felt honor to address this distinguished legislative body. I must thank you, Prime Minister, for inviting me to come to Canada, Speaker Kinsella and Speaker Scheer – for giving me such outstanding opportunity to address the Canadian Parliament. I see this as a tribute to my country and the Ukrainian people, and an expression of the unique, distinctive partnership that our nations enjoy. Let me also just once use the third “official language” of Canada – Ukrainian: Дякую вам за цю честь, дорогі друзі! To be frank with you – I feel very much at...

On September 17, an atmosphere of anticipation engulfed Parliament Hill. Thirty-three Ukrainian Interns were among the many Canadians from Ontario and Quebec who came to Ottawa to greet Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko. This was without doubt a response to Canada’s unparalleled support, for beleaguered Ukraine. Canada was the first after Poland to recognize Ukraine’s independence in 1991 and continues to be one of Ukraine’s staunchest allies. This support increased after Ukraine fell victim to Russia’s annexation of Crimea and invasion of eastern Ukraine. The Interns of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program (CUPP) had the honour to...

Many decades ago, a young Ukrainian man named Steve decided to try and seek a better life for himself. At the age of 17, and against the wishes of his father, Steve made the necessary arrangements to leave Ukraine. Because of the occupation of his country at that time, Steve was issued an Austrian passport. He travelled from Lazarowka, to Trieste, Italy, evading officials who were attempting to conscript young Ukrainian men into the army. On 10 April 1913, still following his dream, he boarded a vessel called the SS CONDA. He arrived in Montreal five weeks later, on 17 May 1913 and continued on to Ontario by train, where he resided with other immigrant friends and family in several different urban centres. Steve settled in Guelph, and found work at...