120^th Anniversary Appointments and Recognition

By Oksana Bashuk Hepburn

Soon it will be 120 years of settlement of Ukrainians in Canada.  Looking at the Ukrainian Canadian Congress website, there is little to assure that preparations are underway.  Here are some ideas to get the celebrations going.  They are about equal access and power so as to leave a lasting impact on Canada’s fabric. 

Ukrainians had a very difficult start here.  It was a time of harshness, discrimination and misery.  Reaching the Prairies, our people were unceremoniously dumped where the train tracks stopped. Ukrainians advanced to the highest offices of Canada. Edward Schreyer and Ramon Hnatyshyn rose to become Governor Generals; John Sopinka, to Supreme Court Justice.  There were many notable cabinet ministers, provincial premiers, ministers and justices.  The political leadership in cities and municipalities is just as impressive.  We’ve had some successes in the private sector too, but the absence of our names among appointees to corporate power structures, as listed in Canada’s national daily newspapers, surprises. As does the Order of Canada awards list.   Since 1989, there have been some 6,000 recipients.  Yet only about 30 appear to be from the Ukrainian community.  

With only a few months left to begin marking the start of our history in Canada, with appropriate celebrations, here are some ideas the Ukrainian Canadian Congress might consider for action.  No doubt, there are many others.  It would be a wasted opportunity to concentrate on short-lived events – concerts come to mind.  The national effort calls for more.  Here’s a start to the 120^th list: put forward names for the upcoming vacancies for Governor General and the recently retired Supreme Court Justice.  An appointment to mark our settlement would be a fine way for Canada to say thank you. 

Next, tackle the significant under representation of Ukrainians in Canada’s corridors of power.  To my knowledge, there’s been only one deputy minister of Ukrainian origin at the federal level.  And only a handful of assistant deputy ministers.  On the other hand, the French Canadians are allocated about 25% representation of the half-million or so Canadian public service jobs.   Diversity and balance are a constant consideration in appointments.  There is a special allocation for native Canadians, women, the visible minorities and the disabled.  It is difficult to move one’s agenda when only a few of the 6,000 order-in-council appointments - key decision making positions - know little or nothing about our needs and aspirations.  To be heard, one needs to be at the discussion table. 

The current brouhaha concerning bilingualism vs. experience and knowledge with regards to the appointment of the Supreme Court Justices indicates how intense the appointment process can be. The hijacking of the multiculturalism policy and diverting it to fighting racial discrimination took place because no one defended our multicultural needs - language and cultural promotion.  Similarly, the near-decision of the National Capital Commission to disallow the erection of a monument to 100 million victims of communist regimes, on the basis of political correctness, was probably done out of ignorance.  It’s impossible for policies to reflect our needs if we’re not heard or dismissed.

Next, call for greater recognition of contributions made to Canada by:

-           Issuing commemorative stamps and coins to mark the occasion;

-           Allocating names of significance in the Ukrainian community to name Canada’s mountains, rivers, islands;

-           Encouraging cities, with historic or current presence of Ukrainians to dedicate names of streets, malls, schools or other civic place to mark our presence. 

Here’s another idea.  On the occasion of the original settlement from Ukraine - the country which gave the world its first democratic constitution some 300 years ago - the community might propose for Canada’s capital a freedom park or liberty trail to honour exceptional global champions of democracy.  Our community might make the first contribution.  It has been contemplating, for some time now, the erection of a monument to Taras Shevchenko.  Now, it might be located in such a specially designated area.  All Canadians will be invited to join in.  Those of East Indian descent might wish to follow suit with a momento to Gandhi; from Poland to Pope John Paul II.  The Tribute to Liberty, the monument devoted to the 100 million victims of communist regimes might find a home in Freedom Park or on Liberty Road, too.  Come to think of it, Ihor Guzenko, the Ukrainian who defected from the Soviet Embassy in 1945 and exposed a Soviet spying network in Ottawa, already has a spot in a park.  He’d love the company of other heroes fighting for liberty and justice.  

Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, has just announced the appointment of James C. Temerty as the Chair of the newly created National UCC Advisory Council and Taras Zalucky as the National UCC Executive Director.  No doubt, more ideas will soon be surfacing.