UNF Marks its 85th Anniversary with a Fundraiser for Parliamentary Internship Programs

New Pathway – Ukrainian News.

This year, the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada (UNF) is celebrating its 85th anniversary. To mark this auspicious occasion, the UNF announced new initiatives aimed at the development of the next generation of community leaders for both Canada and Ukraine by assuming shared stewardship of the Canada Ukraine Parliamentary Program (CUPP) and becoming the founding sponsor of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress’ Parliamentary internship program. On November 18, the UNF and its Affiliate Organizations held a Gala Banquet to benefit these parliamentary internship programs for youth from Canada and Ukraine.

In his speech at the Gala titled “The world needs more interns”, Ihor Michalchyshyn, CEO of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), reflected upon the importance of internship programs for future careers of college students. He talked about his experience as a participant of the Manitoba Legislative Internship Program that landed him a job at the Legislature. From there, Mr. Michalchyshyn progressed to a number of senior positions with the Government of Manitoba, including Chief of Staff to the Premier of Manitoba.
Two of this year’s CUPP interns, Khrystyna Parandii and Maksym Maksymov, both spoke about their time with the offices of MP James Bezan (Selkirk-Interlake- Eastman) and MP Mark Warawa (Langley-Aldergrove), respectively, and how the new knowledge of the workings of Canadian democracy will help them back in Ukraine.

Jaroslaw Bilak, a UNF Past National President, delivered the Gala keynote address on the genesis of multiculturalism in Canada and the UNF’s historical contributions toward the building of Canada as a multicultural nation. Mr. Bilak was introduced by the UNF Toronto’s past president Slawko Borys as one of the UNF’s pillars and a man of extraordinary experience and judgment who is still providing the organization with valuable insight and recommendations. Jaroslaw Bilak, who was an organizer for the UNF’s youth organization in the 1950s and has served in a multitude of prominent roles with different Ukrainian diaspora organizations, including the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Ukrainian World Congress, provided a comprehensive and deep vision of the phenomenon of Canadian multiculturalism.

The keynote highlighted how, building on Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s view that Canada should not be a melting pot, leaders of the Ukrainian Canadian community championed introduction of multiculturalism since the 1940s. He went on to note how the community has benefited immensely from the multiculturalism ever since its adoption as official federal policy in 1971 and its subsequent inclusion the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In his address, Mr. Bilak spoke about a less known champion of multiculturalism, Federal MP Anthony Hlynka, who represented Vegreville in the House of Commons from 1940 to 1949 (see Jaroslaw Bilak’s address on p. 8-9).

By way of background, in 2017, the UNF, the UNF Foundation and the University of Toronto John Yaremko Chair in Ukrainian History joined with the Chair of Ukrainian Studies Foundation to continue the operation of CUPP, an internship program in the House of Commons for university students from Ukraine and Canada. The Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program was established in 1990 by agreement between the Chair of Ukrainian Studies Foundation and Speaker of the House of Commons John Fraser.
The UCC Parliamentary Internship Program was renewed by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in June 2017 and is aimed at providing Ukrainian Canadian youth with meaningful political experience. With its $25,000 first year contribution, the UNF is a founding sponsor of the Program and provides training to interns through the Paul Yuzyk Institute for Youth Leadership. UNF’s involvement in supporting these internship programs is in line with its declared mission as a nation builder in respect of both Canada and Ukraine.

The Gala was addressed by MP James Maloney (Etobicoke Lakeshore) who also delivered greetings from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and by MPP Yvan Baker (Etobicoke Centre). Greetings from Ukrainian Canadian, American and international organisations, many of which were represented by their leaders and membership, were also received. During the banquet, Past UNF National Presidents, Jaroslaw Bilak, Michael Kalymin, Maria Pidkowich and Ihor Bardyn, joined current UNF National President Taras Pidzamecky in cutting the UNF anniversary cake.

The Gala, hosted by the UNF’s Toronto Branch and MC-ed by UNF Toronto’s president Maksym Stolyarevskyy, included the impeccable performance of Ukrainian dances from UNF Toronto’s Kalyna Performing Arts Company. The guests were also beautifully serenaded with a selection of Ukrainian songs presented by the Chervoni Maky Vocal Ensemble.
The Gala was held in conjunction with the Extraordinary Convention of the UNF and Affiliate Organizations held in Toronto from November 17-19, and topped off the UNF 85th anniversary celebrations held last month in Edmonton, the birthplace of the UNF on July 17, 1932.

Donations in support of the Ukrainian Canadian parliamentary internship programs can be made to the UNF Foundation at: Suite 200, 145 Evans Ave, Etobicoke, M8Z 5X8.

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