Winnipeg – Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) First Vice-President and Chair of the Canadian Issues Committee, Adrian Boyko, on behalf of the UCC, expressed his sincere appreciation to the Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) for an opportunity to meet and discuss matters of mutual importance.

In the letter to the Minister, Boyko thanked her for recent meeting in Saskatoon, with a delegation made up of Dr. Dmytro Cipywnyk and Dr. Bohdan Kordan and himself. Boyko noted that ^ongoing dialogue with the Government of Canada ensures that issues concerning the Ukrainian Canadian community, and the ethnocultural community, remain a high priority in the development and execution of government policies and programs".

I reporting to the Board of Directors of UCC, meeting in Winnipeg over the weekend, Boyko reported that several critical issues were raised in order to continue to move the priorities of UCC forward. These issues included:

• Involvement of Canada’s ethnocultural communities in the ongoing conversation among Canadians related to the Internet;
• Development of intercultural youth exchanges as a way of connecting Canada’s youth in an effective and positive environment, thereby developing leaders skills, strengthening cultural ties and building towards a stronger Canadian identity;
• The creation of the Office of the Multicultural Ombudsman, as recommended by the Canadian Ethnocultural Council, I order to enhance the work of the department; and,
• The development of a "multiculturalism lens" as an important tool in the development and implementation of government programming.

Boyko also raised the issue of redress and reinforced the position of UCC that justice should be done, justice must be done. He indicated to the Minister that the Congress would shortly be presenting a submission to the Government of Canada in order to seek a just resolution to this outstanding issue.

"The Ukrainian Canadian community continues to work with the Government of Canada in advancing issues which are important to our community, while enhancing the cultural mosaic which makes up the Canadian identity" said Boyko. "UCC looks forward to working with the Secretary of State in moving these and other important issues to a successful conclusion".

For further information:

Lydia Shawarsky

Executive Director

Ukrainian Canadian Congress

(204) 942-4627