Ukrainian community representatives met with Edmonton area Ministers and MLAs
(UCC-APC Spring Newsletter, April, 2011, p.2, Ukrainian News newspaper, April 12-27, 2011, p.11)

On March 22, 2011, at Government House, Edmonton area Ministers and MLAs met with ethnic community representatives including 45 members of the Ukrainian community. The Hon. Dave Hancock, Minister of Education, initiated the meeting along with Hon. Heather Klimchuk, Minister of Service Alberta, Hon. Thomas Lukaszuk, Minister of Employment and Immigration, Hon. Gene Zwozdesky, Minister of Health and Wellness. MLA’s who also took part were Naresh Bhardwaj, Doug Elniski, and Janice Sarich. The purpose of this meeting was to receive input from the community about our vision for Edmonton in the 21st century and to help foster innovative ideas to keep this city moving forward from the perspective of the many communities which contribute to a prosperous municipality. This was one in a series of meetings in which the Government asked different communities and sectors to share their unique perspectives about the capital city and the province. The Ukrainian community was very grateful for this opportunity to share our thoughts, vision and ideas. Based on preliminary meetings within the Ukrainian community, led by the UCC-Alberta Provincial Council and President Daria Luciw, representatives presented the following important issues to the attention of the Edmonton caucus:
(a) Awareness of the 120th and 125th anniversaries of Ukrainian settlement in Canada;
(b) Canadian Museum of Human Rights – the need for a permanent and prominent Holodomor gallery;
(c) Alberta Immigration Nominee Program – raised effective aspects of the program as well as issues which need to be addressed;
(d) Canada-Ukraine Youth Mobility Program – future provincial participation in this program;
(e) Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village – the need to maintain authenticity and support for the original vision of this site;
(f) Ukrainian Language and Cultural Education – the impact on our community and ideas for future development of a Community Language grant program;
(g) Ukrainian Canadian Archives and Museum of Alberta – the positive impact of this project on Edmonton and ongoing funding concerns.
Our community presentations were well received and the ideas and actions requested of the Provincial Government by Ukrainian Albertans were both acknowledged and documented. Governmental officials in attendance have committed to follow-up on issues discussed. UCC APC will also continue to communicate with the government and move these issues forward. As an umbrella organization representing 330,000 Albertans of Ukrainian descent before the Government of Alberta, the UCC-APC would like to thank all the community and government representatives for their time and input which contributed to a very successful meeting. Photos – Serhiy Kostyuk. More available from the UCC-APC Facebook pagehttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Ukrainian-Canadian-Congress-Alberta-Provincial-Council-UCC-APC/103025799745439