Liberals Call for Official Recognition of Ukrainian Internment

WINNIPEG – Manitoba Liberal Leader Dr. Jon Gerrard on November 6 introduced a resolution to officially recognize the internment of Ukrainians in Canada by undertaking various commemorative projects to educate Canadians about Ukrainian history, to highlight Ukrainian contributions to Canadian society and to promote cross-cultural understanding and a shared sense of Canadian identity.

“Canada has a long history of being a shining star for human rights but there are many stories such as the Ukrainian Internment which illustrate tragic episodes of human rights failures in our history,” Dr. Gerrard said. “Shedding light on these injustices educates future generations about what happened during a period of international and domestic crisis and hopefully ensures that no other ethnic, religious or racial minority ever has to suffer the same fate.”

Between 1914 and 1920 Canada witnessed its first internment operations under the War Measures Act. Thousands of loyal Canadians were systematically arrested and interned in 24 camps throughout the country including two here in Manitoba – one in Brandon and one in Winnipeg.

Nearly 9,000 Canadians were interned, the vast majority of Ukrainian origin. The government sanctions also forced more than 88,000 Ukrainians who were not imprisoned to report regularly to the police.

“This resolution is long overdue in recognizing not only the hardships endured by Ukrainian–Canadians but, in acknowledging their substantial commitment to Canadian society. It’s not about laying blame it is about official recognition, about education and about moving forward.” Dr. Gerrard said. “One of the first orders of business should be replacing the defaced Ukrainian memorial plaque located right here on our [Manitoba] Legislative grounds.”

Sadly, [Manitoba] NDP MLAs refused on several calls to have a vote in support of the resolution.

In 2005, Royal Assent was given to Bill C 331 - The Internment of Persons of Ukrainian Origin Recognition Act, obliging the Government of Canada to negotiate a settlement aimed at rectifying the wrongs done to the Ukrainian Canadian community.