Canada Announces Observation Mission to Ukraine Elections

The Government of Canada is sending 500 observers to help monitor Ukraine’s parliamentary elections in October. The announcement was made August 9 before the Ukrainian community and general media at the Taras Shevchenko Ukrainian Community Centre at 482 Horner Ave. in Toronto’s West End by Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism; Bob Dechert, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird; Lois Brown, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation Julian Fantino; and Ted Opitz, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre.

“Canada has a long and proud history of providing observers to countries to help ensure free and fair elections,” said Minister Kenney. “These elections are critical to a democratic and prosperous Ukraine. We are proud that Canadian election observers, many from the Ukrainian-Canadian community, will continue to stand by the people of Ukraine.”

“This is a very important vote in Ukraine, and in recognition of our special relationship with Ukraine and members of the Ukrainian community, we are pleased to support this democratic process by helping ensure a fair election,” said MP Opitz, adding “this mission will provide real assistance to our Ukrainian partners and allow for a more transparent and accountable election for the Ukrainian people.”

The Canadian mission will deploy 500 election observers through CANADEM. Most of those deployed, some 425 short-term observers, will provide effective coverage of a representative sample of the 33,540 polling stations on Election Day October 28, 2012. An additional 75 long-term observers (65 CANADEM and OSCE) will cover Ukraine’s 25 regions and play a key role in the pre-election period.

“The Harper Government is committed to promoting human rights and democracy around the world,” said Parliamentary Secretary Dechert. “Given international concerns about the deterioration of democratic conditions in Ukraine, it is especially important that Canada joins with international partners to assess the fairness and transparency of the elections.”

“Canada is helping Ukrainians take greater leadership themselves, as we assist in monitoring the parliamentary elections, from campaign financing through to ensuring the results are fair and impartial,” said Parliamentary Secretary Brown. “Only in a truly democratic environment can the people of Ukraine have access to real economic opportunities.”

The deployment of Canadian election observers will help assess the credibility of the elections in Ukraine, including the important steps in the months leading up to the elections. It will also observe voting day conditions and procedures of the October 28, 2012, Ukrainian parliamentary election.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Canada Ukraine Foundation commend Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the government’s decision to send election observers to Ukraine. “UCC looks forward to working closely with the Government of Canada to help make this year’s election observation successful. This election observation mission will be as important to the future of Ukraine’s human rights and democratic development, as was the historic 2004 Presidential election,” stated UCC National President Paul Grod.

“Ukrainian Canadians can help make a difference and have an irreplaceable role to play in the upcoming months in helping to assess whether the elections can be free and fair in Ukraine,” said CUF Chairman Bob Onyschuk.

Canada has demonstrated leadership in support of political and economic reform of Ukraine since its independence in 1991 and is committed to strengthening democracy in Ukraine. The Conservative Government’s efforts have intensified in recent years following increasingly serious allegations and events surrounding the electoral process in Ukraine. Canadian election observers from CANADEM and UCC/CUF have monitored the last several elections in Ukraine.

(Compiled from press releases)

PHOTOS

 
1 - L. to R.: Paul Grod, UCC National President; Stella Ambler, MP Mississauga-South; Ted Opitz, MP Etobicoke-Centre; Lois Brow, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of International Cooperation; Bob Dechert, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Foreign Affairs; Hon. Jason Kenney

2 - L. to R.: Bob Dechert, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Foreign Affairs;  Hon. Jason Kenney; Paul Grod, UCC National President