CUPP Students Meet Canadian Politicians

By Olena Wawryshyn

Twenty university students from Ukraine participated in the latest session of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program (CUPP), which draws to a close on October 15.

Since 1991, CUPP has been giving Ukrainian students first-hand experience of the workings of a Western government.

The students, who arrived in Ottawa in mid-September, wrapped up their time in the nation’s capital by attending a roundtable and reception  hosted by Liberal MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj on October 4.  At the meeting, they exchanged ideas and views on Canada’s political system and the evolution of Canada-Ukraine relations.

Interim Liberal Leader Bill Graham also attended the send-off and wished the interns all the best in their future endeavours.

During their time in Ottawa, the CUPP participants also had a productive meeting with NDP MP Park Peggy Nash and Conservative MP Peter Goldring, says Ihor W. Bardyn, the Director of the CUPP Program.  Both Nash and Goldring are active in the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group.

The CUPP participants also met Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons, and MPs, including  Conservatives Joy Smith, James Bezan and Rick Dystra, Liberal Michael Ignatieff and NDP Peter Stoffer. In addition, they met with Senators David Smith and Raynell Andreychuk and Liberal leadership candidate Bob Rae.

Tours of the Supreme Court of Canada, the Ontario Legislature, the campuses of the University of Toronto, McGill University, University of Ottawa and Carleton University and the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre were also part of the agenda.

Meetings between the students and leaders in various fields, including academics, business and finance were also held. They also met McGill University's Ukrainian Students Club President.

CUPP is supported by the Chair of Ukrainian Studies Foundation at the University of Toronto through donations.