Ukrainian Flag Raised t Ontario Parliament

By John Pidkowich

In celebration of the 19^th Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence on August 24, the Ukrainian Canadian community assembled in front of the Ontario Legislature at Queen’s Park in Toronto. A programme culminating with a ceremony raising the Ukrainian Flag was organized by the Canadian Conference in Support of Ukraine: League of Ukrainian Canadians; League of Ukrainian Canadian Women; and Ukrainian Youth Association of Canada (SUM). The event was supported by the Consulate General of Ukraine in Toronto and Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Toronto Branch.

Opening ecumenical prayers were offered by His Eminence and Metropolitan Nominee, the Right Rev. Yurij Kalistchuk, Archbishop of Toronto, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, and His Grace, Right Rev, Stephen Chmilar, Ukrainian Catholic Bishop of Toronto and Eastern Canada, followed by pastoral messages in support of the faithful’s stand for Ukraine’s Independence.

Programme Master of Ceremonies Luba Kostiw proceeded to invite an array of guest speakers including members of federal and provincial parliaments and representatives from the Ukrainian government and community. Greetings were given by: Senator Consiglio DiNino (Ontario) and on behalf of the Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada; Borys Wrzesnewskyj, MP Etobicoke Centre and on behalf of Hon. Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Official Opposition; Hon. Laurel Broten, Ontario Minister of Children and Youth Services and Minister of Women’s Issues (per Hon. Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario); John Yakabuski, MPP Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke (per Tim Hudak, Leader of the Official Opposition); Cheri DiNovo, MPP Parkdale-High Park and on behalf of Andrea Horwath, Ontario New Democratic Party Leader.

A musical interlude and playing of the Canadian and Ukrainian National  Anthems by SUM’s Baturyn Concert Marching Band was under the direction of Petrusia Chornopysky.

Ukrainian greetings were delivered personally by Oleksandr Danyleiko, Consul General of Ukraine in Toronto who also read official government greetings from Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kostyantyn Hryshchenko. On band cue, all present joined Baturyn in singing “Schte ne vmerla Ukraina” as the celebration’s high-point was reached. The Ukrainian Flag was raised by Ontario Legislative Special Constable Rogers, flanked by an honour guard comprised of members from Plast Scouting Organization and SUM.

In appreciation, Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Ontario Council President Yvan Baker spoke followed by SUM member Zenon Chyz who thanked the event organizers with a new generation’s outlook on the future. Before the crowd dispersed throughout the legislative grounds, in a solemn Moment of Silence, respect was paid to the late John Yaremko, the first Canadian of Ukrainian descent to be elected an Ontario MPP, and whose firm belief in Ukraine’s independence made him a stalwart supporter of the self-determination and liberty of all people.

Publicly acknowledged and distinguished among those present was Yuri Shymko, former federal MP and Ontario MPP who introduced in the Ontario Legislature in 1983 awareness of the 65^th Anniversary of Ukrainian Independence, first proclaimed on January 22, 1918. By resolution, unanimously passed by the legislature, Ontario later became the first parliament in Canada to recognise Ukrainian Independence.

PHOTO

Ukrainian Flag raised before Ontario Legislature at Queen's Park  in Toronto