The Government of Canada Supports Ukrainian Canadian Congress 

WINNIPEG, September 4, 2008 - The history and experiences of survivors of the Holodomor -- the Ukrainian famine in 1932 and 1933 -- will be accessible online for all Canadians, thanks to support from the Government of Canada.

The Honourable James Bezan, Member of Parliament (Selkirk-Interlake), on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women and Minister for La Francophonie, today announced funding for the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

The Congress will receive $50,000 in funding to create a section on its website called Holodomor: Honouring the Past for a Better Future. This site will highlight experiences of Holodomor survivors living in Canada. The site will also include cultural and artistic works by Canadian artists in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Holodomor.

"The Government is proud to participate in this project, which will educate the Canadian and international public about the Holodomor and honour its survivors who now live in Canada," said Minister Verner. "This website will allow all Canadians join Ukrainians and the international community in commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Holodomor."

"Projects such as this showcase the potential of the Internet to give Canadians greater access to our history and heritage," said Mr. Bezan. "I am proud that our Government is contributing to a project that will help all Canadians remember and learn about this particular event in our history so as to ensure that similar tragedies are not repeated in the future."

The Government of Canada has provided this financial assistance through the Department of Canadian Heritage's Gateway Fund, a component of the Canadian Culture Online Strategy. This program, which is committed to fostering a uniquely Canadian presence on the Internet, works with creators, cultural industries, communities, and institutions to produce online Canadian cultural content that promotes our country's rich culture, history, arts, and heritage.

Information: 


Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Status of Women 
and Minister for La Francophonie
819 997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
1 866 569-6155