Goldring Leads Hill in Celebrating Ukrainian Heritage Day

Ottawa – Edmonton East Member of Parliament Peter Goldring drew Parliament’s attention to 120 years of Ukrainian immigration to Canada in a statement in the House of Commons on October 24, 2011.

“One hundred twenty years ago the first immigrants from Ukraine landed in Halifax,” he told the House, “having endured weeks at sea on the first leg of their epic journey, migrating to begin a new life in the Canadian Prairies.”

Mr. Goldring praised the “indomitable pioneer spirit” of those first settlers, paying special tribute to his wife’s great-grandfather, John P. Taschuk and his family, who settled in the Smoky Lake region of northern Alberta.

Mr. Goldring’s statement was part of “Ukrainian Day on Parliament Hill,” which included speeches, films, educational displays, artwork and cultural performances. The event was hosted jointly by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group (of which Mr. Goldring is vice-chair) and the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada.