How to Ensure a Strong Voice in Ottawa

By Olena Wawryshyn

In our too-often cynical political environment, many people underestimate the role they can play in affecting the outcome of election results by casting their vote and volunteering to help with a campaign. Especially in a tight election race, a strong campaign that reaches out to the voters in a riding can help swing the seat in one direction or another.

In the various ridings, within the ranks of the Liberal, Conservative and NDP Parties, there are candidates who, should they be elected, will represent the interests of Ukrainian-Canadians.

There are several incumbents who have already proven themselves in this regard. Among them are Liberal Borys Wrzesnewskyj (Etobicoke Centre), Conservative Inky Mark (Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette) and Conservative Peter Goldring (Edmonton East).

Mark is the MP who first introduced Bill C-331, The Internment of Persons of Ukrainian Origin Recognition Act, in 2001, as a Private Member’s Bill, and Goldring has been an outspoken critic of the denaturalization and deportation process, who has highlighted the Ukrainian Holodomor, or famine, and served as a vocal election observer during the 2004 Ukrainian presidential elections.
Of all the Liberal MPs, however, none has worked harder during the past year and a half than Wrzesnewskyj to promote Ukrainian-Canadian interests.

Wrzesnewskyj’s presence in Ottawa was critical during the 2004 elections in Ukraine. Among other things, Wrzesnewskyj introduced a motion urging the Government of Ukraine to hold a free and fair presidential election–passed unanimously in the House of Commons–and pushed the government to send a large, 500-person Canadian election observer mission to Ukraine.

In addition, he lobbied to ensure Ukraine was on the list of 25 recipient countries of CIDA funding (the only European country on the list).

Through Wrzesnewskyj’s efforts, the Government has taken steps to improve Ukraine’s international position and Canada-Ukraine relations. Wrzesnewskyj worked with Defence Minister Bill Graham to push for Ukraine’s early entry into NATO and for an intensification of training for Ukrainian officers, including generals, with Canada’s Armed Forces. He also worked with International Trade Minister Jim Peterson to open a trade desk at the Canadian Embassy in Kyiv.

On internment, Wrzesnewskyj facilitated meetings, between Ukrainian-Canadian organizations, the Prime Minister’s office, and the Minister of Multiculturalism, which led to the agreement to provide an initial $2.5 million for educational and commemorative projects to educate the public about the unjust internment of Ukrainian-Canadians during the First World War.

He also helped seniors by enabling funding for the very popular St. Demetrius Seniors Residence’s Zustrich program at the UNF Community Centre that gives Ukrainian-Canadian seniors in the Toronto area a chance to meet monthly to enjoy a lunch, exercise, hear speakers and socialize.

In addition, Wrzesnewskyj has reached out to other communities in Canada, has spoken out on many issues that concern all Canadians and has worked hard on behalf of his constituents. As a result, he has certainly earned the support of the community.

Though he is currently leading in the riding according to polls, the race nationally between the Liberals and Conservatives is tight, and nothing should be taken for granted.

Those in the Toronto area who value a strong voice in Ottawa have less than two weeks to volunteer with Wrzesnewskyj’s campaign to help ensure Wrzesnewskyj retains his seat.

There are other candidates who would further strengthen the community’s voice in Ottawa. In Ontario, Conservative John Capobianco (Etobicoke Lakeshore) has demonstrated his commitment to the community by participating in community functions and becoming informed about Ukrainian-Canadians’ concerns well before the election was called. As an active member of the Ukrainian-Canadian community, Jurij Klufas (Parkdale High Park), the founder of the Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival and producer of the Television program Kontakt, will also represent the community’s concerns.

In Alberta, Andrew Hladyshevsky (Edmonton-Strathcona), a lawyer and president of the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko and second Vice President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), and Liberal Jim Jacuta (Edmonton Luduc) a former President of the UCC, Alberta Council, are also among such candidates.

A lot can happen in a week, as was demonstrated when the Liberals lost their lead, according to the polls, during the short period between December 31 and January 6.  Swings up and down can take place not only at a national level, but at the local level too, depending on the performance of the individual candidates and their supporters in the ridings.

If there is any time to support and assist the campaigns of the candidates, such as Wrzesnewskyj and others, who support the issues that Ukrainian-Canadians feel strongly about–it is now­– during the final leg of the race.