Discussion · Private Members' Business
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal
“I support this bill to make September Ukrainian Heritage Month. Ukrainian Canadians have built up Winnipeg and communities across Canada for generations, and they continue to strengthen our country today.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is such a pleasure to stand and speak to an important piece of legislation, Bill S-210, as well as to thank the member for Etobicoke Centre and the Senate for advancing the legislation to where it is today. I think the member for Etobicoke Centre embodies a lot of the good things about our Ukrainian heritage community, but he does not stand alone. There are many leaders within our Ukrainian heritage community who are second to no other in their understanding of the true value of diversity. The best thing we can do here in Canada is to share our heritage. That has blessed all of us in Canada. When I think about the Ukrainian heritage community in Winnipeg, I think of individuals like Joanne Lewandosky, an outstanding Canadian with such a heart for Ukraine and a passion to share Ukrainian heritage with anyone who has an interest in the community. I represent Winnipeg North. Its strength is there today, in part, because of Ukrainian immigrants from generations ago. People can drive down streets like Main Street, Burrows Avenue and McGregor to see historical churches and cathedrals that are absolutely beautiful to walk into, not to mention inspiring. The faith that takes place every week, going back generations, contributes to building and strengthening our Ukrainian heritage community in Manitoba, which is very much alive and continues to contribute in many different ways. If people want a sense of the festivities, whether that is heritage clothing, dance or heritage buildings, they can participate in Folklorama. They have a choice, as this is one of those communities that has not one but two pavilions. In the first week, people can go to either the Kyiv pavilion or the Spirit of Ukraine pavilion, where there are performances to sold-out audiences for seven days, with four or five shows a day, depending on whether it is a Saturday or a weekday. They are virtually sold out all of the time. There is a sense of excitement because people relate to the types of food. Personally, I found out when I was in Kyiv that pierogi are actually called varenyky. I can tell colleagues about the delighted faces one witnesses when people are biting down on borscht and pierogi. I would argue that the best pierogi in the world come from the north end of Winnipeg, from the many volunteers in the basements of our churches. The performances, whether of dance or other arts, provide education on what is taking place in Europe today, which has already been referenced significantly, or just how our Ukrainian heritage community has made Canada a better society. All of this can be experienced over the two wonderful weeks of Folklorama, as it has every summer in Winnipeg for the last 50-plus years now. In terms of contributions to labour and the economy, I think of the late Leo Ledohowski, founder of Canad Inns, a prominent fixture in Winnipeg and beyond, from a business perspective. I think of the Ukrainian Labour Temple, which was constructed back in 1918 or 1919. It still stands today as a heritage site, and it is used, well used, by not only our Ukrainian heritage community but even the newer communities and our first nations. It is a focal point. It is one of the jewels of Winnipeg’s north end. It is not just the north end of Winnipeg that has benefited but some of our rural communities, such as Dauphin, in good part as a result of our Ukrainian heritage community and the many contributions it continues to make. I could talk about those families that have been there for over 100 years, or I could talk about those who have settled over the last few years because of the war taking place in Europe today. I want to let those settlers know that they have advocates here in Ottawa who recognize the valuable contributions they make to Canadian society. There are the many rural northern communities in the Interlake. I see that my colleague from Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman is here. If members go to Gimli, to Winnipeg Beach or to many of these communities, they will see that the settlers from the last few years are bringing more life to our Ukrainian heritage community. It is important that we do what we can to support them. I feel a great sense of pride in the many contributions of this community that many of us feel very passionately about, 1.3 million people of Ukrainian heritage, and many more of non-Ukrainian heritage, who contribute to making Canada what it is today. Recognizing September as a month to celebrate and recognize Ukrainian contributions is, I think, a very strong, positive thing we can do. It would provide many opportunities to recognize the community and would say to schools, to people in the workforce and to our employers that in Ottawa, in the House of Commons, we designate the month of September as an opportunity to show love for and to cherish the many contributions of our Ukrainian heritage community here in Canada. I have found that the more we recognize the rich heritage that makes up Canadian heritage, and the more we celebrate it and promote it, the better we are as a nation. That is why I am pleased to stand today and support what the member for Etobicoke Centre has brought before the House. It would make a difference in recognizing our diversity and honouring the past, today and into the future. It is of great value for every Canadian when we do things of this nature. I thank all those who were involved in making today possible, and having this bill. Slava Ukraini.”
Mr. Speaker, it is such a pleasure to stand and speak to an important piece of legislation, Bill S-210, as well as to thank the member for Etobicoke Centre and the Senate for advancing the legislation to where it is today. I think the member for Etobicoke Centre embodies a lot of the good things about our Ukrainian heritage community, but he does not stand alone. There are many leaders within our Ukrainian heritage community who are second to no other in their understanding of the true value of diversity. The best thing we can do here in Canada is to share our heritage. That has blessed all of us in Canada. When I think about the Ukrainian heritage community in Winnipeg, I think of individuals like Joanne Lewandosky, an outstanding Canadian with such a heart for Ukraine and a passion to share Ukrainian heritage with anyone who has an interest in the community. I represent Winnipeg North. Its strength is there today, in part, because of Ukrainian immigrants from generations ago. People can drive down streets like Main Street, Burrows Avenue and McGregor to see historical churches and cathedrals that are absolutely beautiful to walk into, not to mention inspiring. The faith that takes place every week, going back generations, contributes to building and strengthening our Ukrainian heritage community in Manitoba, which is very much alive and continues to contribute in many different ways. If people want a sense of the festivities, whether that is heritage clothing, dance or heritage buildings, they can participate in Folklorama. They have a choice, as this is one of those communities that has not one but two pavilions. In the first week, people can go to either the Kyiv pavilion or the Spirit of Ukraine pavilion, where there are performances to sold-out audiences for seven days, with four or five shows a day, depending on whether it is a Saturday or a weekday. They are virtually sold out all of the time. There is a sense of excitement because people relate to the types of food. Personally, I found out when I was in Kyiv that pierogi are actually called varenyky. I can tell colleagues about the delighted faces one witnesses when people are biting down on borscht and pierogi. I would argue that the best pierogi in the world come from the north end of Winnipeg, from the many volunteers in the basements of our churches. The performances, whether of dance or other arts, provide education on what is taking place in Europe today, which has already been referenced significantly, or just how our Ukrainian heritage community has made Canada a better society. All of this can be experienced over the two wonderful weeks of Folklorama, as it has every summer in Winnipeg for the last 50-plus years now. In terms of contributions to labour and the economy, I think of the late Leo Ledohowski, founder of Canad Inns, a prominent fixture in Winnipeg and beyond, from a business perspective. I think of the Ukrainian Labour Temple, which was constructed back in 1918 or 1919. It still stands today as a heritage site, and it is used, well used, by not only our Ukrainian heritage community but even the newer communities and our first nations. It is a focal point. It is one of the jewels of Winnipeg’s north end. It is not just the north end of Winnipeg that has benefited but some of our rural communities, such as Dauphin, in good part as a result of our Ukrainian heritage community and the many contributions it continues to make. I could talk about those families that have been there for over 100 years, or I could talk about those who have settled over the last few years because of the war taking place in Europe today. I want to let those settlers know that they have advocates here in Ottawa who recognize the valuable contributions they make to Canadian society. There are the many rural northern communities in the Interlake. I see that my colleague from Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman is here. If members go to Gimli, to Winnipeg Beach or to many of these communities, they will see that the settlers from the last few years are bringing more life to our Ukrainian heritage community. It is important that we do what we can to support them. I feel a great sense of pride in the many contributions of this community that many of us feel very passionately about, 1.3 million people of Ukrainian heritage, and many more of non-Ukrainian heritage, who contribute to making Canada what it is today. Recognizing September as a month to celebrate and recognize Ukrainian contributions is, I think, a very strong, positive thing we can do. It would provide many opportunities to recognize the community and would say to schools, to people in the workforce and to our employers that in Ottawa, in the House of Commons, we designate the month of September as an opportunity to show love for and to cherish the many contributions of our Ukrainian heritage community here in Canada. I have found that the more we recognize the rich heritage that makes up Canadian heritage, and the more we celebrate it and promote it, the better we are as a nation. That is why I am pleased to stand today and support what the member for Etobicoke Centre has brought before the House. It would make a difference in recognizing our diversity and honouring the past, today and into the future. It is of great value for every Canadian when we do things of this nature. I thank all those who were involved in making today possible, and having this bill. Slava Ukraini.