Ukrainian Canadian leaders discuss redress issue with minister

TORONTO - Representatives of the Ukrainian Canadian community, Andrew Hladyshevsky, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko and chair of the Internment Committee of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress; Dr. Lubomyr Y. Luciuk, director of research, Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association; and Alexandra Chyczij, a member of the Justice Committee of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and a local constituent; met on August 23 with Member of Parliament Jean Augustine, secretary of state for multiculturalism, and three senior members of the departments of Canadian Heritage and Justice, to begin the process of resolving the community's call for the recognition of Canada's first national internment operations and their impact on Canadians of Ukrainian and other East European origins.

During an hourlong meeting, the minister indicated a willingness to move the issue forward within her own ministry, Canadian Heritage, and others, including Parks Canada, Veteran's Affairs, Justice and other affected government departments, and to do so in the near future. Although Minister Augustine did not specify a time line, she did pledge to meet with key ministers in September and to initiate consultations as soon as possible.

Further meetings with the Ukrainian Canadian community have been committed to and the minister reaffirmed, in principle, her support for elements of Bill C-331, the Ukrainian Canadian Restitution Act. She also indicated she would consult Inky Mark, MP for Dauphin-Swan River, Manitoba, the author of the bill.

Following the meeting, Mr. Hladyshevsky, chair of the delegation, said: "We were encouraged by the minister's understanding of the issues and her commitment to consultation and negotiation with the Ukrainian Canadian community. We finally believe that this government will resolve our community's requests in a timely and honourable fashion."

Over the past several months, discussions between the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association have resulted in the development of a consensus as to the community's position on acknowledgement and redress. A final proposal from the Ukrainian Canadian community will be placed before Minister Augustine in October.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, September 1, 2002, No. 35, Vol. LXX

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