New Executive for UCC Ontario Provincial Council

Delegates in attendance at the UCC Ontario Provincial Council AGM in Hamilton. Top row (L. to R.): Myron Groch, Adriana Buyniak Willson, Steve Andrusiak, Marc Shwec, Paul Grod, Marika Szkambara, Oksana Rewa, Petro Mycak, Luba Petlura.Bottom row (L. to R.): Lydia Shulakewych, Yvan Baker, Olya Sheweli, Marika Kobzan-Diakow, Orysia SushkoJune 25, 2010 – The Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Ontario Provincial Council elected a new executive several weeks ago in Hamilton. Comprised of UCC branches across Ontario, UCC Ontario represents the interests of over 335,000 Ukrainian Canadians in Ontario, has as its mandate to connect people across the province, to provide leadership and coordinate a dynamic and rich community and to engage the Government of Ontario on key issues.

“Ukrainian Canadians in Ontario along with so many other communities are a foundation of Canada’s multicultural fabric”, stated Yvan Baker, newly-elected President of the UCC Ontario Provincial Council.  “They expect strong leadership to represent them on issues of concern not only to the Ukrainian Canadian community, but to all Canadians”. Baker, a former Vice President of the UCC Toronto Branch, is currently a management consultant and former staff member to a federal Member of Parliament.

“Our goal is two-fold.  First, it is to build connections to strengthen the community in Ontario. Second, it is to speak in a united voice to governments so that they understand the issues of concern to the community and our vision for Ontario and Canada,” said Baker.

He is joined on the Executive by Vice President, Chrystia Chudczak (UCC Ottawa), Treasurer, Fr. Bohdan Hladio (UCC Durham), Secretary, Marika Kobzan-Diakow (UCC St. Catharines), and Past President, Olya Sheweli (UCC Hamilton).

 “Ontario has a large and very active Ukrainian Canadian community”, said Paul Grod, UCC National President.  “The Ontario Council will be a strong and important platform for raising issues to the Province on matters of importance to Ukrainian Canadians living in Ontario,” stated Grod. 

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Delegates in attendance at the UCC Ontario Provincial Council AGM in Hamilton. Top row (L. to R.): Myron Groch, Adriana Buyniak Willson, Steve Andrusiak, Marc Shwec, Paul Grod, Marika Szkambara, Oksana Rewa, Petro Mycak, Luba Petlura.Bottom row (L. to R.): Lydia Shulakewych, Yvan Baker, Olya Sheweli, Marika Kobzan-Diakow, Orysia Sushko