Government of Canada presents Yuzyk Multiculturalism Award to Yaremko
The inaugural Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism was
presented to John Yaremko, it’s first recipient, as announced by the
Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, the Honourable Jason
Kenney, during the inaugural award ceremony at Roy Thomson Hall on June 12 in
The evening’s Master of Ceremonies was Marci Ien,
News Anchor for CTV’s
The Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism commemorates
the late Senator Yuzyk’s pioneering legacy in the areas of multiculturalism,
diversity, and pluralism. Senator Yuzyk, who was a member of the Senate of
Canada from February 1963 to July 1986, played a key role in the development
and implementation of
On behalf of the Yuzyk Family, daughter Vera
thanked Minister Kenney for making the award a reality and shared some of her
thoughts on the meaning of the award. The late Senator Paul Yuzyk experienced
discrimination first-hand which he did not forget. Ms. Yuzyk stated that her
father “vowed that if someone who was born in
Senator Yuzyk took up his cause for reform by two
methods. Firstly, by becoming an historian, professor and author of many books
and articles written on Ukrainian-Canadians and their contribution to Canadian
life. Secondly, by taking up the cause to get “multiculturalism officially
recognized as
Senator Yuzyk launched the concept of
Ms. Yuzyk shared what she particularly liked
about her father’s inaugural speech to the Senate, in that “he presented a
vision of
According to a government press release, Mr.
Yaremko was presented with the Paul Yuzyk Multiculturalism Award - Lifetime
Achievement, for his strong advocacy for education, human rights, and
multiculturalism, as well as his philanthropic activities. John Yaremko is also
a Canadian of Ukrainian descent, born in
Minister Kenney continued by saying that “We
honour Mr. Yaremko tonight in particular for one of the great contributions to
the Canadian mosaic – his visionary efforts to help people find refuge in
Canada … Mr. Yaremko helped persuade the Canadian government to offer refuge in
Canada to some 40,000 Hungarians (who fled Communist tyranny in 1956).”
Minister Kenney went on to say that “we are also richer for being blessed with
people, such as Mr. Yaremko, whose life work has been to reinforce our Canadian
values of freedom, democracy, human rights and rule of law. “I commend Mr. Yaremko for personifying the
ideals of Senator Yuzyk and contributing to our diverse and vibrant Canadian
society,” said Minister Kenney in a press release.
On behalf of Mr. Yaremko who was present,
long-time friend William Sametz expressed appreciation and thank you for the
award, using the analogy of a two-sided coin and its true value when first
received and then more value in the process of giving back to others.
Individuals from communities across
Nominations for the 2010 Paul Yuzyk Award for
Multiculturalism are currently being accepted until March 2010. For details
on the nomination process and eligibility requirements, please visit www.cic.gc.ca/paulvuzvk
Written and compiled by The New Pathway’s John Pidkowich with
government press release. Photos by Lesia Panko.