Sasha Kovalenko, CUPP Media Relations, Ottawa; Marco Levytsky, NP-UN.
Ukrainian Day on Parliament Hill, organised by Canada Ukraine Parliamentary Program (CUPP) 2017 Interns, was held in Ottawa on October 31.
At the core of the event were Canada-Ukraine multidimensional relations facilitated by the CUPP interns working at the Members of Parliament offices, organizing meetings and even helping in the constituencies. Under the motto “Ukraine unites” the organizers are aiming to present a contemporary image of Ukraine through the lens of proactive youth, innovations, entrepreneurship, and creativity.
Setting free the fusty image of Ukraine in a complicated humanitarian situation, the CUPP interns are seeking to show the country as the mecca of tourism and realization of brave ideas.
A highlight was the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between Agriteam Canada Consulting Ltd and the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
The contracting parties have aspirations that this document will serve a solid legal basis for further mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation. Efficient interaction in the field of bringing the most advanced expertise in project management and technical assistance is crucially important for the process of reforms in Ukraine.
The signature of the document is a result of intensive and proactive work of the Government of Ukraine, and friendly and constructive character of Canadian-Ukrainian relations.
It was signed by Volodymyr Bondarenko, State Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and Tawnia Ammar, Canadian Field Advisor, Agriteam Canada. A previous such memorandum was signed in 2014. This is not unlike provincial-oblast memorandums (Alberta-Lviv, Alberta-Ivano-Frankivsk), which are often renewed during official visits.
Ukrainian Day on Parliament Hill began at 11:00 with a Prayer for Peace in Ukraine and Throughout the World at the Reconciliation: The Peacekeeping Monument. Father Orest Okhrimtchouk, Rabbi Michael Goldstein, Mackenzie Esson and Kyrylo Korol read the prayers for peace.
Former Ambassador for Religious Freedom Andrew Bennett delivered the closing prayer.
The evening reception took place at Sir John A. Macdonald Building, featuring many distinguished guests and speakers. Over 30 Members of Parliament attended as did several members of Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers.
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman spoke about the long and thriving relationship between Canada and Ukraine that goes back over 125 years, with Canada being the first western country to recognize Ukraine’s independence in 1991 to now being one of Ukraine’s strongest allies and partners on the international arena now.
“I am proud that it was Canada who first reconized the Independence of Ukraine back in 1991,” he added.
“I get a special feeling listening to national anthems of Canada and Ukraine. We have a wonderful history. During this first visit to Canada I’ve discovered the wonderful country and we are proud that Ukrainians made their contribution. I want to stress that in this difficult time Canada plays an important role in protecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Canada demonstrates an outstanding leadership. We heavily appreciate the demonstration of leadership by Canada. Every day in Canadian history has had a part of Ukrainian day in it.
“All decisions related to Ukraine unite the Canadian Parliament. I would like to make a special mention of the Canada Ukraine Parliamentary Program which is the internship of young Ukrainians in the Parliament. I could not even imagine that the coordinator Ihor Bardyn would make this project for 27 years hosting Ukrainians in Parliament. More than 1000 people went through it and pursued their career in politics. Ukraine needs young and active professionals. Among the reforms done in Ukraine, the reform of civil service is a crucial one. Canada can be an example on this matter. That is why I want to tell the participants of the Program: Ukraine needs you. We have started the reform of the civil service and announced 1200 vacancies for young people for the changes in the country and for success of our European country. I am glad that we are signing the Memorandum between out governments on the reform of Ukrainian civil service. It is 150 years of Canada and 125 since Ukrainians started coming to Canada. I am sure that we have to continue to write our history of success together. I wish you all the best in this endeavor,” Groysman said.
Opening remarks were delivered by Andriy Shevchenko, who introduced Groysman, noting that it is the first trip for Ukraine’s youngest Prime Minister.
He also praised the work of the CUPP interns.
“When you speak to CUPP interns there is a natural temptation to speak about the future, but I think this is not quite right because I know what a great impact these folks have already been doing,” Shevchenko said.
Speaking on behalf of the CUPP interns, Roman Polishchuk said that what impressed him is the work of the Parliament of Canada.
“I think that the parliamentary system that exists here is truly working – the system of checks and balances. The famous question period, the caucuses, the parliamentary groups – they all work for the good of not only every Canadian, but of the world itself. We, interns, have already met with several MPs and senators and discovered that many of them come from different cultural and professional backgrounds.
There are lawyers, policeman, diplomats, human rights activists but all of them have the same goal – to make life of their constituents better. Moreover, they try to support countries around the world on their way to democracy. Ukraine is one of them. Providing police and military training to Ukraine’s troops, sponsoring and passing the Magnitsky law (that of course applies to many countries and greatly influences the situation in Ukraine), and taking a leading role in UN peacekeeping missions. All of these initiatives demonstrate how much Canada and its parliament are mindful about the world and its problems,” he added.
Ihor Bardyn, Director of Canada Ukraine Parliamentary Program, noted that through several generations, Canadians of Ukrainian ancestry, have put down deep roots and gravitated to public service from the earliest years of settlement in Canada, at the municipal, provincial and national levels.
“They have served as Mayors in towns and cities of Coquitlam and Fort St. John in British Columbia; Bonnyville, Fort Saskatchewan, Edmonton, Grand Prairie, Vegreville in Alberta; Brandon, Gimli, Springfield, Winnipeg in Manitoba; Canora, Melville, North Battleford, Yorkton in Saskatchewan; Amos, Greenfield Park, Mount Royal in Quebec; Burlington, Mississauga, Oshawa, Port Hope, St. Thomas, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Windsor in Ontario.
“In the provinces Ed Stelmach in Alberta, Roy Romanow in Saskatchewan, Gary Filman in Manitoba and Ernie Eves in Ontario served as Premiers. In the national and provincial legislatures over 100 have served as Members of Parliament and MLAs since the election of Michael Luchkovich in Vegreville Alberta, to the House of Commons in 1926. From the ranks of the MPs Norman Cafik, Chrystia Freeland, Mary-Ann Myhichuk and Michael Starr have served in The Ministry. Ray Hnatyshyn and Edward Schreyer have served the office of Governor-General,” he said.
Other speakers included: Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness; MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj, Chair of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group; MP James Bezan, deputy Head of the National Defence Committee; and Taras Rohatyn, President of the UNF Foundation. Among the many distinguished guests present during the event were: Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence; Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism Geoff Regan, Speaker of the House of Commons; Roman Waschuk, Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine; and Taras Pidzamecky, President of Ukrainian National Federation of Canada.
The reception with PM Groysman was sponsored by Ukrainian Credit Union Limited. The UNF Foundation has provided funding to the CUPP students.
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