Canada’s Support of Ukraine’s Independence Commemorated

OTTAWA–The 15th anniversary of Canada’s and Poland’s recognition of Ukraine’s independence was commemorated at an event on Parliament Hill on December 4.

MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj, Chair of the Canada-Poland Parliamentary Friendship Group and Vice-Chair of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, and Canadian parliamentarians joined the ambassador of Ukraine to Canada, Ihor Ostash, and the ambassdor of Poland to Canada, Piotr Ogrodzinski, in commemorating the historic event.

On December 1, 1991, Ukrainians, in a referendum, voted in favour of Ukraine’s Declaration of Independence. The following day, on December 2, 1991, Canada recognized Ukraine’s independence.

Wrzesnewskyj noted the role played by Ukrainian Canadians in the lead-up to the independence referendum, and by a Canadian parliamentary delegation, headed by Patrick Boyer, which led to Canada’s recognition.

“Fifteen years ago, a group of approximately 40 Ukrainian Canadians travelled to Ukraine to work on the independence referendum,” said Wrzesnewskyj. We produced millions of leaflets and posters that were distributed in southern and eastern regions of Ukraine. Also, we financed and produced a series of pro-independence television advertisements. We did this not because of doubts that a majority of Ukrainians would vote “tak” [yes]  but rather because of concerns that a majority in certain parts of the South and East would not vote in favour of independence and this could potentially set the stage for seccession and civil war as happened in Moldova, Georgia, and Tajikistan.”

Wrzesnewskyj also addressed the role played by Poland during that period. “When I and the rest of the Ukrainian Canadian contingent working on the ground heard that Canada was the ‘first country’ to recognize Ukraine, we were ecstatic and unbelievably proud. However, a short time later, we learned that it was Poland, in fact, that was the first country to recognize Ukraine’s independence,” said Wrzesnewskyj.

“Poland recognized Ukraine some 20 minutes earlier than Canada. These events illustrated the special relationship that existed and continues to exist between Canada, Poland and Ukraine. For this reason, it is no surprise that two years ago during the Orange Revolution Canada and Poland sent the largest contingent of election observers during the rerun of the presidential election,” he added.