UCC reps meet with minister of immigration (07/02/06)

UCC reps meet with minister of immigration

Ukrainian Canadian Congress

TORONTO - Representatives of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) met on June 6 in Toronto with Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Monte Solberg to discuss issues of concerns to the Ukrainian Canadian community.

The delegation consisted of Irene (Orysia) Sushko, UCC national president; John Pidkowich, UCC Ontario Provincial Council president; and Jurij Klufas, a Toronto Ukrainian community activist and broadcaster.

At the onset of the discussion, Ms. Sushko applauded the minister's recent announcement of new measures to assist victims of human trafficking, who are often the targets of organized crime and sexual exploitation.

As well, the UCC president indicated that the community welcomed Prime Minister Stephen Harper's recent announcement regarding the halving of the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, the earmarking of funds in the recent federal budget for a center to assess foreign professional accreditations, as well as increased funding for settlement and integration of immigrants.

All of these issues are of great importance to the Ukrainian Canadian community and were included in the presentation made that day by the community delegation.

Items covered by the UCC included its position on the current Canada War Crimes Program; the need for a new Citizenship Act; problems with issuing visas and processing immigration applications at the Kyiv Embassy; family reunification; the need for a live-in Care-Giver Program for Ukrainian Canadian families; need for support for community-based settlement and integration agencies; accreditation of foreign professional credentials; and human trafficking.

Minister Solbert listened to the positions of the UCC with great interest. He indicated that many of these issues are currently undergoing review and agreed to meet with the UCC to follow up by the end of the summer.

Ms. Sushko said she is pleased to have had the opportunity to bring the community's message to the minister and looks forward to continuing this positive dialogue.

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