CALL TO ACTION!

Internment of Ukrainian Canadians

February 13, 2007 -- A meeting has been scheduled for this Friday, February 16th during which designated representatives from the Ukrainian Canadian community will meet with the Hon. Jason Kenney, Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity to further negotiations concerning the settlement of claims arising from Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914-1920.

We ask you to contact Jason Kenney and other Conservative MPs to make them aware of the scheduled meeting and this issue of redress. Ask for their support to resolve this dark episode in Canadian History. Items of discussion should include:

• Thousands of Ukrainians and other Europeans were unjustly interned (imprisoned in Canadian labour camps) during Canada’s first national internment operations (1914-20). What little wealth they had was confiscated, some of which was never returned. Many were disenfranchised (right to vote revoked) and suffered other state-sanctioned censures;
• The economic losses of our community amounted to no less than $32.5 to $43.3 million (according to a 1991 PriceWaterhouse report);
• Bill C331 -- Internment of Persons of Ukrainian Origin Recognition Act (November 2005) -- is now law and mandates the government to negotiate a settlement;
• There has been no action (including funding) resulting from the Agreement in Principle signed with the previous government (August 2005);
• The community is seeking $12.5 million to undertake a series of commemorative, research, cultural and educational initiatives to benefits all Canadians. Funds to be managed by the Ukrainian Canadian community through Taras Shevchenko Foundation;
• We seek no individual compensation, nor apologies, only timely recognition to ensure the last known survivor of this episode, Mary Manko, can bear witness to an honourable reconciliation;
• In light of today’s geopolitical climate, Canadians can learn a historical lesson about this period in Canada’s history.

Be persistent and polite. It is imperative that we make the Government of Canada and Mr. Kenney are aware that this is very much a Canadian issue and has wide ranging implications at both the local and national scale.

For a list of Conservative Members of Parliament and associated contact information, visit: http://www.conservative.ca/EN/1051/

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