On 27 September 1991, the Liberal MP for Kingston and the Islands, Mr Peter Milliken, rose in the House of Commons to recommend that the Government should "acknowledge that the internment, disenfranchisement and related repressive measures taken against Canadians of Ukrainian origin...were unwarranted and unjust," to "instruct Parks Canada to erect historical markers at each of the ...sites where Ukrainians were interned and (develop) a permanent historical educational exhibit at the Castle Mountain internment camp site in Banff National Park," and to "undertake negotiations...on redress." All parties then represented in the House of Commons unanimously approved Mr Milliken's motion.
On 8 June 1993, the Leader of the Opposition, the Honourable Mr Jean Chrétien, wrote, "The Liberal Party understands your concern...we support your efforts to secure the redress of Ukrainian-Canadians' claims arising from their internment and loss of freedoms during the First World War...we will continue to monitor the situation closely and seek to ensure that the government honours its promise."
Regrettably, to date, the expectations raised by Mr Chretien's letter have not been realized, nor were similar promises made by the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney kept. Over one million Canadians of Ukrainian heritage have now been kept waiting for over a decade to see justice done.
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To view a scanned copy of Mr Jean Chrétien's letter click on the thumbnail on the left. |
Four requests have been presented to the governing Liberal Party by the Ukrainian community since 1994. They can be found by clicking HERE. The governing Liberals have yet to act.
Mr. Peter Milliken, M.P. Kingston and the Islands
House of Commons
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 996-1955
Fax: (613) 996-1958
E-mail: Milliken.P@parl.gc.ca
The Right Hon. Jean Chrétien, M.P. Saint-Maurice
Prime Minister of Canada
House of Commons
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 992-4211
Fax: (613) 941-6900
E-mail: Chretien.J@parl.gc.ca
The Hon. Sheila Copps, M.P. Hamilton East
Minister of Canadian Heritage
House of Commons
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 995-2772
Fax: (613) 994-1267
E-mail: Copps.S@parl.gc.ca
The Hon. Hedy Fry, M.P. Vancouver Centre
Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)
House of Commons
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 992-3213
Fax: (613) 995-0056
E-mail: Fry.H@parl.gc.ca
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Originally Composed: Monday November 3rd 1997.
Date last modified: Wednesday November 5th 1997.