Montreal Ukrainian Community Invited to Quebec National Assembly

By Yaroslawa Olga Wysochanskyj

On November 8^th, 2007, at the request of Mr. Michel Bissonnet, the Speaker or President of the National Assembly of Quebec, leaders of the Ukrainian community in Montreal as well as a number of Ukrainian university students were invited to spend the day at the Quebec legislature.

 Mr. Bissonnet had contacted Mrs. Rene Chumak, Founder of the Ukrainian Residence of Montreal, and the Ukrainian Villa and asked her to organize this excursion.   She in turn contacted the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Montreal Branch President Prof. Yarema Kelebay – to receive authorization to take on this project. She then requested the aid of Mrs. Olga Wysoczanskyj and Mrs. Rosalie Ruzyckyi, who gladly consented.

On arrival in Quebec, the guests were ushered through the magnificent entrance of the hundred year old Legislative Building whose facade constitutes a veritable pantheon of Quebec history. Subsequently, the guests were escorted to a lovely room where cocktails were served.

Mr. Bissonnet, Assembly Speaker, accompanied by five Ministers welcomed the guest from Ukrainian community by saying “Good Day” and “Welcome” in Ukrainian (dobryj den’ and vitaemo, respectively) and gave a brief speech about the contributions of the Ukrainian Community to Quebec.

Mr. Evhen Osidacz, Vice President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Montreal Branch, then addressed the group, thanked Mr. Bissonnet for his invitation and gave a short history of the Ukrainian Community in Quebec.

Mrs. Rene Chumak was then requested to step forward to present Mr. Bissonnet with a small souvenir of the day’s visit, which was a painting of a tryzub or trident as Ukraine’s national emblem (done by Ms. Roma Bacyzynska.)  Every guest was then invited to sign the Guest Book.

Mr. Volodymr Mota, a well-known bandurist, entertained everyone on Ukraine’s national instrument the bandura with the song “Nahadai Bandury” or “Recall the Banduras”, words by N. Kaluzna and music by the famous composer Hryhorij Kytasty.

The guests were then privileged to have lunch in the Assembly Dining Room and they were joined by various legislators.   It was a great opportunity to exchange ideas and to ask questions.

At the (head) Table of Honour were Mr. Yaroslaw Czolij, former Manager of the Montreal Credit Union Desjardins, Mrs. Rene Chumak, Founder of Ukrainian Residence & Ukrainian Villa, Mrs. Stefanie Zwonok, President of the Ukrainian Women’s Organization of Canada (Olha Basarab) Montreal Branch

Reverend Ihor Koretski, Pastor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, and Mr. Evhen Osidacz, Vice-President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Montreal Branch.

Two prominent gentlemen of the Ukrainian Community were also were part of the visiting group. Mr. Marian Lach, a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces and Mr. Ostap Geller, a veteran of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army – UPA.

After lunch, a group picture was taken and the guests were given a tour of the Legislature. First came the Legislative Council Chamber (also known as Chambre Rouge) which is used for legislative committee deliberations.

The Speaker’s or President’s Gallery, which holds the portraits of all the Premiers since the inception of the Parliament, was next on the agenda. Then, the guests were escorted in to the heart of the State, the National Assembly (also known as the Chambre Bleu) where parliamentary debates take place, and were privileged to hear a debate between Mr. Jean Charest, the Premier of Quebec and Mr. Mario Dumont, Leader of the Action Democratique du Quebec Party. This was the highlight of the visit.

The next step was a meeting with a constitutional expert, who explained the Quebec Parliamentary System, answered questions and indeed gave a lot of information.

As all good things come to an end, it was time to say our goodbyes and thank-you. But another treat was in store for us, that being the opportunity to see this extraordinarily beautiful city from the top of the Observatory at dusk

What a truly wonderful experience it was, a day to be long remembered!