UNF of CANADA Positions

Internment of Ukrainians in Canada During World War I

The Ukrainian National Federation of Canada, established in 1932, and a founding member of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress since its inception in 1940. supports the UCC on its position regarding the issue of internment of Ukrainians in Canada during the years 1914-1920.  Our organization strongly urges that the Government of Canada finally address Bill C 331 – The Internment of Persons of Ukrainian Origin Recognition Act which received Royal Assent on November 25, 2005.  The Government should negotiate with the three organizations (Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko and Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association) representing the Ukrainian Canadian community on the basis of Recognition, Restitution and Reconciliation. Furthermore, we support the proposal that designated funds should be administered by the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko, and not by government departments. The internment of Ukrainians and other ethnic groups in Canada over the years should be a bitter lesson learned, and that in this case, history not repeat itself.

We urge the Government of Canada to act now and address Bill C 331.

HOLODOMOR

The Ukrainian National Federation of Canada, established in 1932, and a founding member of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress since its inception in 1940, proposes that the Government of Canada recognize the Holodomor (Famine) perpetrated by the Soviet regime against the Ukrainian people in 1932-33 as genocide. The Senate of Canada took the initiative in June 2003 to recognize this tragedy as genocide, and proposed that the Government of Canada do the same.  We encourage the House of Commons to follow suit, in recognition of those millions of Ukrainians who perished.  This would be a sign of respect to the 1.1 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent and their ancestors, who have made and continue to make such a vital contribution to the development and growth of our country Canada.  Genocide in the form of the Holodomor, and genocide in any form, has to be stopped.  Recognition of the Holodomor by Canada and the rest of the World community will help prevent such horrific events in the future.

We urge the Government of Canada to act and recognize the Holodomor as genocide.

December 2007