Canadian Ukrainian Perspective on Multiculturalism

By Halyna Mokrushyna

Fifty years ago, the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism recognized the contribution by the third element, ethnic non-British and non-French groups to the cultural enrichment of Canada – it laid the foundation of the policy of multiculturalism, which has shaped Canada as a country that embraces difference and diversity. Multiculturalism became a building block of Canadian identity and of a tolerant society, a hallmark of Canada worldwide. Believing that time has come to reflect on how we, Ukrainian Canadians, have shaped in great part this present day tolerant and diverse Canada, and whether multiculturalism is still relevant for us today, the UNF Ottawa-Gatineau branch at the initiative of one of its members, Halyna Mokrushyna, organized a public discussion panel “Mission accomplished? Ukrainian Canadians’ perspective on multiculturalism” in cooperation with Chair of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Ottawa. The panel took place on May 22 at the University of Ottawa.

It was moderated by Halyna Mokrushyna, who also made the first short presentation on achievements and challenges of multiculturalism today. She noted that multiculturalism plays a positive role in the process of immigrant and minority integration in Canada and contributes to the social cohesion. Recent studies show that Canada scores better than any other Western democracy in creating a tolerant and inclusive society that values diversity. Thus, the criticism that multiculturalism, by isolating immigrants in their culture and ethnic enclaves, leads to their residential and social ghettoization and erodes national identity, has no substantial basis in Canada.

All of the other presenters have been actively involved in one way or another in promoting multiculturalism, formulating and implementing multiculturalism policies, contributing to the establishment of multiculturalism as a fundamental principle of Canadian society.

David Lupul provided a brief outline of the context in which the debate on multiculturalism emerged: the decolonization and the falling apart of the central position of British imperial identity; the emerging identification of Canadians of Scottish, Irish, English ancestry as Canadians; the struggle for political and social recognition of Quebec; the appointment of the Royal commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism to ensure a wider recognition of cultural and linguistic duality of Canada. He also explained how Ukrainian Canadians challenged from the beginning the biculturalism and bilingualism framework of the Canadian history and culture and demanded the recognition of the third element – non-English and non-French ethnic groups as equal partners in building Canada.

Vera Yuzyk talked about a prominent role of her father, Senator Paul Yuzyk, in defining and promoting recognition of Canada as a multicultural nation. She noted two great influences that shaped her father’s outlook and agenda: the discrimination against immigrants by the WASP majority, a discrimination that Paul Yuzyk experienced himself, and an active organizational life of Ukrainian community in Saskatchewan, where he grew up. Later, in his academic career Paul Yuzyk wrote a book on the history of Ukrainian Canadians in Manitoba. In it he outlined his vision of a multicultural Canada where new Canadians should be integrated gradually instead of enforcing on them assimilation and conformity. The solution he put in his book was not to disown who you are, but rather recognize the best of our Ukrainian cultural heritage and contribute that to the main Canadian culture. He advocated this vision in many speeches and interviews that he gave as a Senator. One of the most influential ones was his maiden speech in the Senate on March 3, 1964.

Paul Migus in his presentation provided an outlook of the fifty years of multiculturalism from 1953 to 2013 and the role that some Ukrainian Canadians played in these 50 years. He divided this period in five phases. The first one, from 1963 to 1970, was well described by two previous presenters. Paul Migus only underlined that several people from the audience witnessed and participated in that phase. Phase two (1971-1978) was about defining and formulating the policy of multiculturalism, which was focused on government’s funding of ethnic cultural activities and academia. Paul stressed the prominent role of politicians and civil servants of Ukrainian background in this process. All of these people raised the respect and recognition of the Ukrainian community in Canada. Paul Migus noted that we do not see that influence anymore. Phase three, from 1978 to 1988, was about government’s efforts to find the right balance between the recognition of the rights of Anglophone and Francophone majorities, Aboriginals and ethnic minorities. During this period the Human Rights Commission was created, as well as the first Counsel of national ethno-cultural organizations. This phase also saw the multiculturalism legislated as an act of government. In phase 4, from 1989 to 2003, the impacts of immigration are causing a huge shift in the ethnic fabric of Canadian society. The Canadian Broadcasting Act asserts that the Canadian broadcasting system should reflect the diversity of cultures in the country. In 2002, multiculturalism had annual day established by Jean Chretien (June 27). In phase five, the last decade, 2003-2013, multiculturalism becomes much more linked to inclusive citizenship.

Taras Zalusky in his presentation talked from the perspective of the UCC and the Ukrainian Canadian community. He said that we should be proud of the contribution that Ukrainians and other immigrant groups made to the building of Canada as a tolerant, civic society. Canada became the model of diversity for the world. The Ukrainian community has successfully applied the principle of multiculturalism all along: it persevered through discrimination and racism; it kept its language and culture; it created its own institutions. Ukrainian Canadians have built the community drawing on their own resources. By acting with one voice under the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, they became a credible partner for the government. The UCC is successful, because it engages with the government and NGOs at all levels. The UCC is seen as a leader , even at the level of the Canadian Ethno-cultural Council. We have created a powerful infrastructure that ensures the preservation of the community. A challenge that the UCC has is make sure that this infrastructure is meeting the needs of community. The community development is one of the biggest challenges of multiculturalism today.

At the end of this public discussion it became clear that Ukrainian Canadians should continue preserving and developing multiculturalism. David Lupul suggested that we need people who can, drawing on Ukrainian culture, make the community attractive through media and arts and communicate this to the entire Canadian society. Paul Migus stressed the importance for the Ukrainian Canadian leadership to maintain relationship and remain relevant to the entire community. Vera Yuzyk said that Ukrainian Canadians should continue building bridges with other ethnic communities in Canada, such as Muslims, and invite them to share their concerns. Taras Zalusky also stressed the need to engage with others outside of the community and called upon Ukrainian Canadians to become more involved in their own community.

Audio recordings of the panel can be found on Uke Tube, at http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFDKv3_cxFEdWVcjozx0X7sMM206JbOUs, courtesy of William Szuch.

PHOTO

L. to R.: David Lupul, Paul Migus, Halyna Mokrushyna, Vera Yuzyk, Taras Zalucky