Winnipeg,
November 02, 2012 - Joyce Bateman, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg
South Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of
State for Western Economic Diversification, announced federal funding
to the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada, Winnipeg Branch,
under the Harper Government’s Community Infrastructure Improvement
Fund (CIIF).
“The Ukrainian National Federation facility has been a pillar in Winnipeg’s North End for nearly 80 years, and I am proud to see it benefit from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund,” said MP Bateman. “This investment will help create jobs and growth, while helping ensure the prosperity of the community now, and for years to come.”
Funding of $40,050 will support various upgrades including a new boiler, new flooring and other improvements to the cultural space. The investment will help strengthen the cultural and educational activities offered at the facility while encouraging greater community participation.
“The UNF organization in Winnipeg has a tremendous legacy having been the launch pad for Carpathia Credit Union, the Kalyna Book Co-op, and cultural leaders like the Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre, O. Koshetz Choir, and the Rusalka and Orlan dance companies,” said Taras Pidzamecky, President, Ukrainian National Federation of Canada. “The funding from WD directly supports our organization’s renewal by enabling it to continue as a Ukrainian choral and dance centre, and supporting new youth leadership programs like the Paul Yuzyk Institute’s history of Ukrainian dance in Canada. Our long-standing local members are most gratified knowing that their work will be carried on with the help of this investment by the Government of Canada.”
CIIF
supports, on a cost-shared basis, repairs and improvements to
existing community infrastructure accessible to the public. Western
Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the Fund in
Western Canada with an allocation of $46.2 million over two years.
Since 2006, the Harper Government, through WD, has invested in job-creating, small and medium-sized businesses, aerospace, marine and defence industries, and supported innovative entrepreneurs in pursuing emerging markets. By continuing to promote new economic opportunities, WD is helping to create jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity.
New Pathway - The Ukrainian National Federation of Canada, Winnipeg Branch, was established on September 27, 1933 and was later incorporated. It has been a leading community and cultural-educational institution in Winnipeg for nearly 80 years and has operated from its current premises at 935 Main Street in Winnipeg since 1948 when the Hall building was constructed.
More specifically, the renovations will provide an updated facility for the UNF Winnipeg School of Ukrainian Dance, Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, O. Koshetz Memorial Choir, and allow for the introduction of the new Avramenko-Koshetz Education Project in one of the Hall’s empty storefronts. The new project, which will dovetail with future programs of the Paul Yuzyk Institute for Youth Leadership, is being launched in early 2013 with support from the UNF Foundation, and in cooperation with the Taras Shevchenko Foundation, and Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre in Winnipeg.
PHOTOS
1 - L. to R.: UNF of Canada President Taras Pidzamecky, Joyce Bateman, MP Winnipeg South Centre, UNF Winnipeg Branch President Robert Harasym and Robert Sopuck, MP Dauphin-Swan River–Marquette and Chair of the Canada Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Committee
2 - Members of the Winnipeg Branches of the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada and Ukrainian Women’s Organziation of Canada who received UNF 80th anniversary awards for long service at the UNF Winnipeg Hall on November 2, 2012 from MPs Joyce Bateman (Winnipeg South Centre) and Robert Sopuck (Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette), and UNF of Canada President Taras Pidzamecky, gathered with attendees of the federal government’s CIIF grant announcement