Ukrainians in Canada

The Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival has been named one of the 2013 “Top 100 Festivals and Events” by Festivals & Events Ontario (FEO), the provincial not-for-profit tourism association devoted to the growth of the festivals and events industry in Ontario. Now in its 17th year, the Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival (BWVTUF) has established itself as one of the premier Ukrainian festivals in North America, attracting audiences well in excess of 500,000 from across Canada, the US and abroad to its annual free, three-day street event. The “Top 100” awards were...

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress congratulates Stephen Poloz on his nomination to be the next Governor of the Bank of Canada. Mr. Poloz, a third generation Ukrainian Canadian from Oshawa, is set to take over from current Governor of the Bank of Canada Mark Carney on June 3, 2013. "The Ukrainian Canadian community congratulates Mr. Poloz on this most important and prestigious appointment," stated Ukrainian Canadian Congress National President Paul Grod. "Mr. Poloz has impeccable credentials and experience at the Bank of Canada and we have every confidence that he will undertake his functions as Canada's central banker with distinction." The Bank of Canada, as Canada's central bank is responsible for Canada's monetary policy, producing and distributing Canada's bank notes, promoting a stable and efficient financial system in Canada, and...

James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk-Interlake condemned the Liberal Party for issuing a statement celebrating the Soviet “Victory Day in Ukraine,” a holiday created under the reign of Soviet dictator Leonid Brezhnev. On May 7th, 2013, Liberal Member of Parliament and Critic for Multiculturalism, Jim Karygiannis, released a statement on behalf of the Liberal Party celebrating “Victory Day in Ukraine.” This Soviet-era holiday celebrates the return of the Soviet Union to Ukraine on May 8th at the end of the Second World War. The Soviet occupation of Ukraine lasted until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. “The ruthless Soviet occupation of Ukraine is nothing to celebrate,” said MP Bezan. “The Liberal Party is either extremely ignorant, or tremendously insensitive, to be celebrating the anniversary of 56 years of mass arrests, executions, and famines at the hands of occupying Soviet forces in Ukraine.” The end of the Second World War marked the beginning of the drop of the...

The statement by the Honourable Jim Karygiannis, P.C., M.P. and Liberal Critic for Multiculturalism, concerning “Victory Day in Ukraine” dated May 9, 2013 reflects a deep misunderstanding of the circumstances that Ukraine and many other nations found themselves in on that faithful day, May 8, 1945. For Ukrainians it is at best, a bitter-sweet commemoration of the official end to WWII. Sweet, because it represented the defeat of the totalitarian Nazi regime. However, in no way did it represent an end to the violence and bloodshed or some sort of “Victory Day in Ukraine.” What Mr. Karygiannis omitted in his celebratory remarks is that, essentially, the Ukrainian and many other nations of Europe fell victim to Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia, two totalitarian/ genocidal regimes that instigated the Second World War. And, the bitter truth is that the war against the Ukrainian people did not end on...

One of the most eagerly anticipated musical fusions will ignite the stage of the Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival on Saturday, September 14, as Ukraine’s classic rockers Kozak System team up with cult musician Taras Chubay for a performance of Ukrainian world music – modern technology and rhythms combined with Ukrainian melodies and piercing lyricism, well- seasoned with high energy. Kozak System and Taras Chubay will headline the Festival Stage at Bloor Street West and Jane Street in a performance that kicks off at 9 p.m. on September 14. Kozak System will perform in two additional Festival events on Friday, September 13 at 9 p.m. and on Saturday, September 14 at midnight, in venues to be announced. These performances are made possible by a generous grant from Celebrate Ontario and through the sponsorship of Ukrainian Credit Union Limited. The Celebrate Ontario grant will...

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) announced its call for nominations for qualified individuals for the Taras Shevchenko Medal on February 22, 2013. The Board of Directors of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress will be considering applications at its September 2013 meeting. Only those applications received by June 30, 2013, shall be considered for award at the Triennial Congress. "The Shevchenko Medal is the highest form of recognition that can be granted by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. It recognizes individuals of Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian descent for their outstanding national contribution towards the development of the Ukrainian Canadian community," stated UCC National President Paul Grod. "The Shevchenko Medals will be awarded at the...

Ukrainian Canadian Congress National President Paul Grod presented Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals to 6 deserving community leaders in public ceremonies held inCalgaryandEdmonton,Albertaon April 19 and April 20, 2013, respectively. "It was a tremendous honour to present these awards on behalf of His Excellency the Governor General ofCanada, the Right Honourable David Johnston, to such worthy leaders from our community," stated Ukrainian Canadian Congress National President Paul Grod. "It is only fitting that these important leaders of our community are recognized with this most prestigious award. I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Mykhailo, Halyna, Daria, Petro, Andriy and Marian for their tremendous efforts in building our community in this province and indeed across the country." The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals were presented to Mykhailo (Mike) Hantzsch and Halyna Lyp'ska Wilson inCalgary; and to Petro Dackiw, Daria Luciw, Marian Gauk and Andriy Hladyshevsky in Edmonton...

15 February 2013—Two professors of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta, Drs. Zenon Kohut and Frank Sysyn, have been honoured with the Antonovych award for 2012. The award ceremony took place on 10 November 2012 at the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington, D.C. Dr. Kohut received his award “for his contribution to the study of Cossack Ukraine,” and Dr. Sysyn “for his contribution to scholarship in Ukraine.” In his introduction, the president of the foundation, Ihor Voyevidka, described both laureates as “shining examples of many years of work in spreading knowledge about Ukraine, from the Cossack period to the present, and its integration into modern European history.” Dr. Martha Bohachevsky-Chomiak, chair of the award jury, noted that the research work of both scholars has challenged the dominant Polish and Russian interpretations of the early modern period and...

Yvan Baker’s endeavours have previously been reported in our press: a successful management consultant, a lecturer in the MBA program at the Schulich School of Business (York University), a recent president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (Ontario), an active and consistent public figure in various spheres of public life. The Ukrainian community remembers his significant contribution to the revitalization of community life, including the establishment of / Ukrainian Heritage Day/ in Ontario. It is the official recognition of the great contributions of many generations of Ukrainian immigrants in the growth of this country of the maple leaf. Of course, the...

Yvan Baker’s endeavours have previously been reported in our press: a successful management consultant, a lecturer in the MBA program at the Schulich School of Business (York University), a recent president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (Ontario), an active and consistent public figure in various spheres of public life. The Ukrainian community remembers his significant contribution to the revitalization of community life, including the establishment of / Ukrainian Heritage Day/ in Ontario. It is the official recognition of the great contributions of many generations of Ukrainian immigrants in the growth of this country of the maple leaf. Of course, the...