Second Reading of the Ukrainian Heritage Month Act
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
TORONTO — Bill 215, the Ukrainian Heritage Month Act, 2024 was put forward for second reading on Wednesday. The bill, which was put forward by Sheref Sabawy, the Member of Provincial Parliament for Mississauga—Erin Mills, would proclaim September in each year as Ukrainian Heritage Month.
With support from all major parties, the bill passed second reading and was referred to the committee of the whole house. Speakers included Sheref Sabawy (PC, Mississauga—Erin Mills), Chris Glover (NDP, Spadina—Fort York), Michael Parsa (PC, Aurora–Oak Ridges–Richmond Hill), Ted Hsu (Lib., Kingston and the Islands), Effie Triantafilopoulos (PC, Oakville North—Burlington), and Christine Hogarth (PC, Etobicoke—Lakeshore).
Upon moving the motion, Sabawy delivered the following remarks in support of his bill:
“In his maiden speech to Parliament, Senator Paul Yuzyk said, ‘In Canada, we have the world in miniature. World peace and order could be achieved if the principles of unity in continuing diversity, brotherhood, compromise, and the recognition of the freedom and dignity of individuals and nations are honestly applied.’
“Senator Yuzyk was a second-generation Canadian of Ukrainian ethnicity. He was nicknamed the “father of multiculturalism” because he recognized that every group of Canadians, regardless of their race or ethnicity, bring value to our common heritage.
“In fulfillment of this multiculturalism, and with the goal of continuing this tradition of respect and diversity, I am happy to rise in the House to put forward the Ukrainian Heritage Month Act, 2024. This bill would, if passed, proclaim September as Ukrainian Heritage Month in Ontario. This would be an opportunity to recognize the amazing accomplishments of Ukrainian Canadians and celebrate Ukrainian culture and heritage.
“Madam Speaker, Canada and Ukraine have a unique and special relationship. Canada was the first country to formally recognize Ukraine following its independence in 1991. Today, our two countries have strong economic ties and trade, and we are allies in the fight to protect human rights and maintain international peace. Ontario will always stand alongside Ukraine as partners in international peace and prosperity.
“Ontario is home to over 340,000 people of Ukrainian heritage; Canada as a whole has over 1.2 million. In fact, outside of Ukraine, Canada is home to the second-largest diaspora of Ukrainians. A large community of Ukrainian people have settled here because they knew that Ontario is a place of peace, freedom and opportunity. In turn, Ukrainian Canadians have made significant contributions to our society, and they have made many accomplishments of note.
“The Ukrainian community in Canada includes philanthropists, religious leaders, business owners, veterans, political figures and even a Supreme Court justice. Whether in the courtroom or in Parliament or on the beaches of Normandy, Ukrainian Canadians have fought for our rights and freedoms. From rural farms to the big cities, Ukrainian Canadians worked hard, built businesses and strengthened our economy. Through community organizations and not-for-profit and religious institutions, Ukrainian Canadians built strong bonds with local communities and lent a helping hand to those in need.
“There is much more that could be said about the successes and accomplishments of Ontario’s Ukrainian community. But most importantly, they have exemplified the promise of Canada. Canada was and is a multicultural community where we embrace our differences, and where everyone deserves a safe, free, comfortable life.
“Madam Speaker, Ontario has been a safe haven for many Ukrainians fleeing violence and persecution, and even for many who were seeking a better life. The first Ukrainian immigrants, beginning in 1891, were predominantly agricultural workers. They travelled to Canada because they saw it as a place for opportunity and prosperity. Later, immigrants arrived here to escape fascism, communism, violence, persecution and war. Ontario protected them and provided them opportunity. In return, these Ukrainian Canadians contributed positively to the social, cultural, political and economic fabric of our province. The process of immigration and integration exemplifies the best of Ontario multiculturalism.
“Unfortunately, for many Ukrainian Canadians, war and violence remain an ever-present challenge. In recent years, the unlawful invasion of Ukraine has wreaked havoc on that country. Many more Ukrainians came to Canada for safety. Speaker, Ontarians stand firm in supporting the sovereignty of Ukraine and its right to defend itself, and we continue to call for an end of this unlawful war.
“Canada is an important safe haven for those fleeing conflict and oppression. We embrace this multiculturalism and inclusivity.
“Speaker, I am very grateful for the many Ukrainian Canadian individuals and organizations that have worked alongside me to make this Ukrainian Heritage Month possible. In particular, I would like to thank the organizations we managed to get help from and we got advice from—not to put aside anybody, but these are the organizations who came and helped us:
—Taras and Bohdan of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress–Ontario Provincial Council;
—Peter of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress–Toronto Branch;
—Oleh Nikolenko, the Consul General of Ukraine in Toronto;
—Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce;
—Ukrainian National Federation of Canada;
—the League of Ukrainian Canadians;
—the League of Ukrainian Canadian Women;—Ukrainian War Veterans Association;
—International Organization of Ukrainian Communities Fourth Wave;
—Canada-Ukraine Foundation;
—Toronto Ukrainian Festival, Bloor West Village;
—Ukrainian Youth Association of Canada;
—CYM Canada, the Ukrainian Youth Association; and
—PLAST Ukrainian Youth Association of Ontario.
“There are also many Ukrainian churches. This includes some who are with us today, including: Bishop Peshko of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, Eastern Eparchy and the Rt. Rev. Yanishevsky of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada.
“I also want to mention an important Ukrainian community in my own riding of Mississauga–Erin Mills: Ivan Franko Homes. Not only do they provide a place for Ukrainians to live when they retire, it also serves as a cultural hub for the Ukrainian Canadian community in my riding. I was first introduced to the Ukrainian Canadian community when I met with the community at Ivan Franko Homes eight or nine years ago. I sat with them, got to know them and they explained to me about their concept of a campus of care. In the years since then, I have learned more about the Ukrainian community, culture, art and history, and about Ivan Franko Homes’s vision of a connected community.
“Last year, we broke ground on the Campus of Care, a new long-term-care home in Mississauga with 160 new beds. I am delighted to see construction continuing. I can’t wait until we are able to open this facility very soon. I have even said that Ivan Franko Homes is where I would wish to retire one day. Thank you to Ivan Franko Homes for their hard work.
“There are many more Ukrainian organizations I haven’t named that are continuing to make a positive impact throughout our province. Ukrainian Canadians are a tight-knit community. They work together, help one another, and serve a wider community as well. Thank you to every organization and individual that has contributed to this rich cultural heritage.
“Bill 215, the Ukrainian Heritage Month Act, would, if passed, give us another opportunity to recognize the amazing contributions of Ukrainian people here in Canada. September will be an exciting month for the Ukrainian Canadian community. Celebrations will begin with the Independence Day of Ukraine and then continue for a full month, with anniversaries such as September 7, the arrival of Ukrainians to Canada in 1891. This great initiative is important to recognize the contributions and heritage of Ukrainian Canadians. After all they have done for us, I am very happy to express my support for the Ukrainian Canadian community in this small but meaningful way. I look forward to hearing my colleagues discuss this further and I thank them in advance for their support.
“And just in the final few seconds, I would like to address the Ukrainian Canadian community here in the House and abroad: You are the hope for your people in Ukraine. Resistance is not only on the front line. Every Ukrainian Canadian or Ukrainian all over the world has a duty to support their nation and their people, to make sure that the people know that we are here and we stand along with them.”
Bill 215 is MPP Sabawy’s third bill to pass second reading. In 2019, his proposal of an Egyptian Heritage Month (July) received royal assent. In 2021, another of his proposed bills, the Ontario Religious Freedom Day Act, passed second reading.