UCC-SPC delegation, YAN members meet with Minister of State (Multiculturalism)

L-R: Victoria Morris, Youth Action Now; Danylo Puderak, Executive Director, UCC-SPC; Hon. Raymond Chan, Minister of State (Multiculturalism); Eugene Krenosky, President, UCC-SPC; Ed Lysyk, Vice President, UCC-SPC; Michael Zhang, Youth Action Now; Calista Meinert, Youth Action Now.

A delegation of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Saskatchewan Provincial Council (UCC-SPC) met with the Honourable Raymond Chan, Minister of State (Multiculturalism), on October 25, 2004. Representing UCC SPC was President Eugene Krenosky, Vice President Ed Lysyk, and Executive Director Danylo Puderak. Also participating in the meeting were Youth Action Now (YAN) members: Victoria Morris, Programming Coordinator; Calista Meinert, Youth Advisory Council member; and Michael Zhang, a Youth Project Leader.

Danylo Puderak thanked Minister Chan for his Department’s on-going financial and other support for the Youth Action Now initiative. YAN is a two-year province-wide multicultural initiative funded largely by the Department of Canadian Heritage, which is engaging Saskatchewan youth in a discussion around Multicultural Connectivity, Opportunities and Global Perspectives. The Minister was then provided an overview of the development and progress of the Youth Action Now (YAN) project by Victoria, Calista and Michael. The Minister was also extended an invitation to attend what will be one of the project’s most visible components, “The Gathering”, which will be held in Regina, April 29 to May 1, 2005. The Gathering will bring together over 200 youth from across Saskatchewan and representing the diversity of its population together with Government, Business and Community leaders in an interactive forum focusing on recommendations gathered at 19 youth forums currently underway.

Referring to the need for direct funding for Canada’s Ethno-cultural organizations, President Krenosky discussed an innovative proposal that would see significant financial assistance to ethno- and multi- communities in areas that are currently not funded by the Federal Government. Commenting on the proposal, Krenosky said, “A new approach with a realistic funding model that would provide avenues for financial support in virtually all areas of activity for ethno- and multi-cultural organisations is feasible and long overdue.” Krenosky concluded his remarks by urging the Minister to proceed with vigour and conviction in implementing such a funding strategy.

Vice President Lysyk addressed the outstanding issue of World War I Internment of Ukrainian-Canadians by bringing to the Minister’s attention a document prepared and endorsed by the Ukrainian Canadian community. The “Terms of the Proposed Agreement” aims to finally resolve the issue of Internment reconciliation with Canada’s Ukrainian community. Lysyk explained, “This issue lives to this day in the families of countless Ukrainian Canadians.” He related how in his family, his grandfather had been labelled an enemy alien during the War for no reason other than he had been born in Ukraine. Lysyk urged the Minister to take a lead role in bringing closure to not only the Ukrainian Internment issue, but also other ethnic long-standing grievances with the Federal Government.

The Minister expressed his personal commitment that, during his term, he would ensure these issues are rightly dealt with. Minister Chan also extended his appreciation and thanks to the members of UCC-SPC for the work the Ukrainian community is doing.

Also present at the meeting were Bill Balan, Regional Director for the Department of Canadian Heritage; Andrea Schneider, Acting Saskatchewan District Director; and, Bob Friedrich, Program Officer, Saskatchewan District.