Prime Minister Stephen Harper Awarded UCC Shevchenko Medal

By Walter Derzko

On Friday, October 14, 2011, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress presented it highest honor, awarding the Shevchenko Medal to the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper. The Medal is award every three years to recognize Canadians, institutions and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the Ukrainian Canadian community. This long awaited event took place at the elegant Liberty Grand at Exhibition Place in Toronto. The tribute dinner, which was initially scheduled for last spring had to be delayed when the government dismissed parliament and called for a new election.

Some 530 people attended the successful sold out event, thanks to the hard work of the organizing tribute committee, headed by co-chairs Lydia Falcomer and Renata Roman. Members included Fedir Danylak, Anna Harasym, Sonia Holiad, Olia Kalymon, Nadia Prokopiw, Peter Schturyn, Markian Shwec, and Lesya Winnicki. Before dinner, guests gathered for cocktails, while VIP guests met with the government delegation.

The tribute event would not have been possible without the generous support of sponsors: Buduchnist Credit Union, Caravan Logistics Inc., the Chabursky Family, Consultec, Hrycyna Pothemont Hamivka, Barristers and Solicitors, Northland Power, Rodan Energy Solutions, Ukrainian Credit Union, Eugene & Luba Zaraska and family, Aerosvit Ukrainian Airlines, Skylink Travel Group and the Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce. Media sponsorship was provided by KONTAKT and Svitohlad television programs.

The evening started with a procession of head table guests, accompanied by the Barvinok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and greeted with the traditional bread and salt. The distinguished head table included Lida Kulish, Paul Grod, Eugene Czolij, Bishop Stephen Chmilar, Bishop Andriy, Ivan Fecan, Jim Temerty, Hon. Raynell Andreychuk, and Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper. After singing the Ukrainian and Canadian National Anthems performed by Serhiy Danko, accompanied by Michael Romaniuk, the evening was directed by Ivan Fecan, Master of Ceremonies, who skillfully navigated the audience though the entire evening. Senator Andreychuk introduced the Prime Minister, reminding the audience of his efforts and that Mr. Harper was only the second sitting Prime Minister to receive the Shevchenko Medal after Prime Minister John Diefenbaker. Following a video presentation of Mr. Harper’s accomplishments, Paul Grod, UCC President, presented the Shevchenko Medal to the Prime Minister.

The numerous contributions made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his government at home and abroad include: an Act to establish a Ukrainian Famine and Genocide “Holodomor” Memorial Day, which the Prime Minister cited several times in his speech, the establishment of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund in 2008, his well publicized October 2010 trip to Ukraine where he publicly expressed Canada’s commitment to human rights, rule of law, democratic development, and free and fair elections. Canada also sent 200 observers to Ukraine for the 2010 Presidential Elections, signed a Youth Mobility Agreement to promote travel and exchanges between Canadian and Ukrainian youth, renewed Ukraine’s status as a “priority” country for international assistance though CIDA, upgraded community centres and social housing in Ukrainian-Canadian communities, and entered into free trade negotiations with Ukraine in 2009.

Prime Minister Harper’s acceptance speech was interrupted by numerous rounds of applause from the audience and a final standing ovation. “I’m honoured to receive this prestigious award that recognizes the significant efforts our government has made to address the needs and interests of our vibrant Ukrainian-Canadian community and to strengthen our ties with Ukraine” stressed the Prime Minister. “Our Government will continue to acknowledge and embrace the contributions of Ukrainians, their struggles for independence and their contributions to Canadian society.”

Prime Minister Harper thanked Lida Kulish, Paul Grod, and the “whole team” for organizing this event and reminisced about his 2010 trip to Ukraine. He also acknowledged Senator Andreychuk and the MP’s from the GTA and across Canada who were present at the dinner including: Ted Opitz, Wladyslaw Lizon, Bernard Trottier and James Bezan, who are all working closely with the Ukrainian Canadian community.

“From east to west, Ukrainian-Canadians have made outstanding contributions throughout society in business, academia, the arts, sport, politics and many different fields.  And Canada is stronger for it.” emphasized Harper.  The Prime Minister then paid tribute to the legacy of Taras Shevchenko, the contributions of Ukrainians and Ukrainian-Canadians during the totalitarian regimes of the occupying Nazi and Soviet governments in Ukraine during the Second World War, and most recently during the “Cold War”.

Not sitting on his Shevchenko Medal laurels, the Prime Minister stated that he sent a stern letter to the President of Ukraine after the verdict against Ukrainian Opposition Leader Yulia Tymoshenko, warning that Ukrainian Canadian bilateral relations could be in jeopardy.   “I’ve written to President Yanukovych. I let him know that I am deeply concerned… about the path that the Government of Ukraine appears to be taking. [October 11] developments (the negative verdict against Tymoshenko) may have serious consequences for our bilateral relationships,” stressed the Prime Minister.

In closing, he then pledged: “The Ukrainian people can count on Canada to stand up for their liberty. Canada is always ready to help democratic institutions take root in Ukraine and around the world. And I know that each and every person here shares that cause, which is why I’m so honoured to be here.”

After dinner, Paul Grod and the Prime Minister presented the UCC Youth Leadership Awards of Excellence to three deserving recipients: Kristin Glover of Toronto for her work in reviving the Ukrainian National Youth Federation of Canada and with “Help Us Help the Children”; Christina Sawchyn from Montreal for her leadership work with Plast Canada; and Andrew Woloslawsky from Toronto for his ongoing work with Plast Canada and for his card game: “Za Voliu!” (For Freedom!)

The evening came to a close and many individuals of the satisfied audience stayed well in to the night chatting around tables, before leaving for home. It’s “afterwards” when you can really find out what’s happening in the community, and about up and coming events in Ukraine and Canada.

PHOTO

1 - Prime Minister Stephen Harper (left) awarded the Shevchenko Medal by UCC President Paul Grod (right)

2 - UCC Youth Leadership Award recipient Kristin Glover (centre) with PM Harper (left) and Paul Grod (right)

3 - UCC Youth Leadership Award recipient Andrew Wodoslawsky (centre) with PM Harper (left) and Paul Grod (right)

4 - UCC Youth Leadership Award recipient Christina Sawchyn (centre) with PM Harper (left) and Paul Grod (right)