The year 2004 represented a milestone in the history of the Ukrainian community in Canada. While many have spoken of a "special relationship" between Canada and Ukraine, future historians will document that the Liberal government of Paul Martin has given substance to this relationship. In fact, at no other time in the history of Canada has the Ukrainian Canadian community received the attention that it did during the last year and a half.

In July 2004 Canada was spearheading efforts to internationalize the political situation in Ukraine through its embassy in Kyiv. Three Canadian Parliamentary Delegations, funded by a grant from the Wrzesnewskyj family foundation to the University of Alberta, travelled to Ukraine to do the same. The House of Commons passed two motions unanimously that I was honoured to have introduced, as well, Speaker Miliken agreed to my request for an emergency debate in order to send a powerful message about the need for free and fair elections in the country of our ancestors. On two separate occasions in late November 2004, Canada's Prime Minister, Paul Martin publicly warned Russia that there would be serious consequences if it continued to interfere in Ukraine's domestic affairs. It was particularly rewarding that I was able to help spearhead our government's sending an unheard of and history-making 500 official observers, headed by former Prime Minister John Turner. The mission's goal was to oversee the re-run of the election and acted as an international catalyst which counterbalanced the interference of Russian President Putin. In addition, what may not be as well known is that behind the scenes Canada was prepared to offer protection and sanctuary to a senior member of the Central Electoral Commission who wanted to come forward and disclose the massive electoral fraud being perpetrated, but feared for his family. The tremendous goodwill established by our government did not end there. In late April 2005, the International Policy Statement was announced making Ukraine the only European country on the list of 25 "Development Partners." This clearly signalled that our "special relationship" was evolving into a "strategic one."

While the above clearly demonstrates this government's sensitivity to the concerns of the Ukrainian community in Canada, Finance Minister Ralph Goodale's Budget 2005 containing a commitment of $25 million for groups that had been subjected to injustices during darker periods in Canada's history, showed the depth of this sensitivity. As a Canadian of Ukrainian origin, I am deeply grateful and honoured that I can say that I was part of a government that made a commitment to finally recognize the injustices carried out against a number of groups in Canada, particularly the internment of Ukrainian Canadians. After much hard work with the Justice and Canadian Heritage departments, this commitment in Budget 2005 was delivered on during an August 24, 2005 announcement by Prime Minister Paul Martin. This agreement in principle announced the funding of an initial package of commemorative and educational projects recalling Canada's first national internment operations. The multi-year funding of $12.5 million will flow through the Shevchenko Foundation.

The momentous announcement of educational and commemorative projects related to the internment of Ukrainian Canadians was the result of decades of hard work by the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, and I felt a tremendous sense of satisfaction as we witnessed the leaders of these two organizations and our government sign the document of understanding. While previous governments attempted to sweep the tragic episode of the internment operations from 1914 to 1920 into the dustbin of history, I am proud to be able to say that our government had the courage to publicly acknowledge this dark episode of our country's past and to provide closure to the Ukrainian Canadian community, and to other affected communities.

My grandparents arrived in Canada as DPs (displaced persons, refugees) and Canada provided them, their children and grandchildren an opportunity to live and prosper in freedom. However, in their love for Canada, there was also a rarely spoken of shame. Ukrainian Canadians have been waiting a long time for reconciliation and the Liberal government's announcement allows us to deal with issues of the past respectfully and to move towards the bright future that is the promise that awaits all Canadians. Only through a complete knowledge of our past will present and future generations be able to build an even stronger Canada that will stand as a shinning example of what society can achieve throughout the world.

I'd like to thank all those who supported me in a number of ways and worked so hard over the past two years to help me achieve our common goals. I'll always be faithfully yours.

Razom nas bahato,
Nas ne podolaty.