Canadian issues

On November 2nd, 2014 the world première of the art songs of four Galician composers will be showcased at the resplendent Koerner Hall: the late romantic Denys Sichynsky, post-romantic Stanyslav Liudkevych, impressionist Vasyl Barvinsky and modernist, as well asUkraine's first female composer, Stefania Turkewich. We invite you to support this unique event which brings the beauty and excellence of Ukrainian classical composition to one of the finest stages. International operatic star Pavlo Hunka, bass- baritone and accomplished piano accompanist, Albert Krywolt, will be...

On September 17, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko arrived to a warm welcome on Parliament Hill. His first official visit toCanadasince being elected in May 2014 was short but successful, and undeniably memorable for many of those in attendance. Given all that has occurred inUkrainesince the Euromaidan revolution began in late November 2013, Poroshenko’s presence was a meaningful one, symbolizing the close partnershipCanadaandUkrainehave developed in recent history. Hearing the Ukrainian anthem played...

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement in remembrance of those interned in Canada during the First World War: “A century ago, as a result of fear generated by the onset of the First World War, thousands of new immigrants of European origin were interned during the First World War even though there was no proof that they posed a threat to Canada...

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the results of the May 25th presidential elections in Ukraine: “The people of Ukraine have spoken in elections that were largely free and fair. On behalf of Canada, I would like to congratulate Petro Poroshenko on what is shaping up to be a decisive first-round victory. “The presidential elections come at a pivotal time in the country’s history, a period of hope and turmoil. As in the past, the Ukrainian people overcame all odds to courageously exercise their most fundamental democratic right. By casting their votes, they demonstrated their commitment to a free, democratic and sovereign Ukraine. “Despite attempts by...

Following the announcement of retaliatory sanctions against him from Moscow, James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk-Interlake, has issued the following statement: “To be included on this Russian list of Canadians is a badge of honour, and I am proud to be included with these distinguished Canadians who oppose the invasion of Crimea by Russian forces. “These punitive measures will not silence my criticisms of the illegal military invasion and occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, nor mute my strong support for the people of Ukraine and their transitional government. “Canada and its G-7 partners have...

To mark the 100th anniversary of Canada's first national internment operations of 1914-1920, the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Foundation (www.ucclf.ca) will be unveiling 100 plaques on Friday, 22 August 2014, the 100th anniversary of the War Measures Act. This initiative, the CTO (“One Hundred”) project, enjoys the financial support of the UCCLF and of the Endowment Council of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (www.internmentcanada.ca)...

On Friday, November 1, SickKids was be joined by representatives from the Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund (CCCF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), as well as two Ukrainian paediatric neurosurgery fellows currently undergoing clinical training at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), to formally launch the Ukraine Paediatric Fellowship Program. A national fundraising campaign to raise $1 million in support of the Program wasl also unveiled, calling on the Ukrainian-Canadian community to raise funds that will improve paediatric health care in the eastern European country. In addition, the campaign’s first major gifts were announced. The Ukraine Paediatric Fellowship Program was made possible thanks to a $1.05 million gift from the CCCF. The Program will provide physicians from Ukraine with...

Professor Bohdan Kordan of the University of Saskatchewan has been invited to curate an exhibition of seventeenth and eighteenth century maps of Ukraine from the Orest & Olesia Talpash and Chrysant & Leslie Dmytruk collections at the Bruce Peel Special Collections Library, University of Alberta. The collections were recent donations to the University of Alberta. The exhibition entitled “Shared Treasures: Antiquarian Maps of Ukraine” draws on selected items from the two collections. "It is important that we celebrate gifts such as these to the library and university," said Robert Desmarais, Head of the Bruce Peel Special Collections Library at the University of Alberta. "They strengthen our current holdings in Ucrainica and...

The Senator, Honourable Dr. Don Meredith, presented the Jubilee Medal to Dr. Boyko at the S1. John Council of Ontario Annual Awards dinner on March 22,2013. Dr. Boyko is the Provincial Medical Advisor of St. John Ambulance inOntario. He received this award for the development of the Home Caregiver Support Program for caregivers of palliative care patients. The Parliamentary Committee on Palliative Care recognizes the heroism of compassionate family caregivers who provide 70% - 80% of care in Canadian homes and communities. St. John Ambulance has developed a new Home Caregiver Support Program to address the needs of family caregIvers...

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) urges all Canadians to voice their concerns over the content and layout proposed for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (Museum). "On a recent site tour of this taxpayer-funded museum, I was shocked to discover how shamefully Ukrainian Canadian and Ukrainian themes are to be presented in this national institution. We are deeply troubled that neither Canada's first national internment operations nor the Holodomor will have permanent and prominent exhibits and galleries in the Museum," stated UCC National President Paul Grod. "It is outrageous that in the province of Manitoba, which has the highest proportional percentage of Ukrainians in Canada, the human rights stories that have impacted our community have either been ignored or minimalized. We have attempted to work in good faith with the Museum for the past 2 1/2 years, yet they remain...