The Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Federation

SUMMARY REPORT

Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Federation

January, 2001

Introduction

Canadian Issues Roundtable; Moving Forward was an initial step in a national consultation process organized by the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Federation. It addressed two issues Canadian Diversity: The Future, and Canada Ukraine Relations: Strategies that work.

The Roundtable aimed to examine the policy and program implications of the two issues in order to assess what has the intent and execution of the policy; identify the present gap between intent and reality; and put forward proposals for further considerations.

It brought together some 110 interested and knowledgeable Canadians from across Canada: members of the Federation, other community groups, practitioners in the NGO communities, academia, government and business interests. The Patron of the UCPBF The Rt. Hon. Ramon J. Hnatyshyn opened the proceedings.

The methodology was designed to solicit maximum participation. Each issue was assigned three hours. The first hour was devoted to opening positions by expert panelists in a plenary setting. The second, to further discussions in four Roundtables where the panelists acted as Chairs and a knowledgeable individual was provided as the rapporteur. The final hour was in plenary again: the rapporteurs de-briefed on each Roundtable discussion; a question and answer period followed. The rapporteurs submitted summaries of discussions in writing to be used, among other sources, in putting this paper together.

This document will be used as policy input for the consideration of the government of Canada.

Oksana Bashuk Hepburn
President

&nbap;

ISSUE I CANADA/UKRAINE RELATIONS: STRATEGIES THAT WORK

Overview

The bonds between Canada and Ukraine continue to provide sound underpinnings for a robust relationship between the two nations. Despite the fact that in the ten years that have passed since Independence that relationship has fallen short of the initial exuberant expectations on both sides, much has been accomplished. There is a quiet dedication to building upon past successes and moving forward to achieve new results of strategic and economic importance. Ukraine is a work-in-progress and a long term perspective is required.

Taking Stock

In Ukraine, there have been many positive changes over the decade; some observers claim that the current government has the potential to be the most reformist since independence. Consequently, it deserves Canada’s continued and strong support. This climate and the improving economic indicators stress that the time has never been better for investment in Ukraine; political, social or economic.

The Canadian Ukrainian community has worked diligently over the period to foster a climate that ensured significant contribution from Canada to Ukraine’s emergence as a democratic and economically strong nation. It is proud of its contribution, and it is cognizant of Canada’s exceptional support. At the same time there is a critical need to avoid complacency and to continually adapt to the new reality that is today’s Ukraine and today’s global political and economic situation. The reciprocal importance of the Canada/Ukraine relationship merits emphasis. It enables Canada to have influence in Central and Eastern Europe, well beyond that normally associated with its stature.

An accurate image of Ukraine is important to extending the constituency in Canada that is both committed to Ukraine’s future and supportive of a foreign policy that honours Canada’s special relationship with it. Informed and objective media coverage is critical to a public understanding of Ukraine's realities and its enormous importance to world order and security. Unfortunately, media coverage has often been considered lacking and renewed efforts are needed to ensure that there is no lack of interest in, or support for, Ukraine due to inaccurate information.

The Way Ahead

The way ahead is a creative blend of the old and new. Not surprisingly, many of the same core issues continue to dominate the needs landscape. Yet, the experience of the past ten years is evident in the ideas that were put forward in the discussions.

The way ahead is in the hands of Ukraine. There is almost universal consensus that Ukraine’s future lies in its own hands and that assistance from other countries, such as Canada, must first and foremost conform to Ukraine’s own priorities. Secondly, in any initiative, other than government-to-government, Ukrainian partners are essential. Particular importance should be attached to strengthening Ukrainian institutions to foster sustainability.

This having been said, it is nevertheless important for Canada to communicate its own perception of crucial changes that are required. Changes that would, for example, increase Ukraine-Canada trade, facilitate investment and, in general, improve its relationships with the rest of the world. A friend would do no less. Top among the areas requiring priority attention are the democratization of the political process; the development of a legal framework for business; and, the development of a professional public service. To the degree that these are agreed upon priorities, they should be concentration for the programs and initiatives of the government of Canada. This does not put a blind eye to crucial international concerns such as corruption, but it situates action in these key areas as necessary conditions to resolve a myriad of other problems.

A newer dimension to the Canadian perspective on priorities for Ukraine centered on independent policy formulation, education and the use of new technology, particularly the Internet, to bring the world to Ukraine’s door and visa versa. Given Canada’s strengths in these fields, this could be a strong unifying theme across agreed upon priorities.

The way ahead is not only in Ukraine, but also in Canada. Here, there is a need to improve Canadians’ understanding of Ukraine and to marshal community resources efficiently and effectively. In particular to utilize the linguistic and substantive expertise of Ukrainian Canadians in policy and program activities.

Today, it is essential that every Canadian Ukrainian who is committed to the goal of strong relationships with Ukraine, understands the current cultural and political realities of this new nation. Every member of the community needs to become a knowledgeable spokesperson who can shape public opinion. This represents a quantum change in the level at which the community, collectively and individually, tackles the issues of this decade. The results can be transformational.

Within the Ukrainian Canadian community there are numerous organizations and interests. This provides a richness and variety that is admirable, but it also presents a challenge for the community to ensure a high level of collaboration and coordination in matters of public policy and technical assistance to Ukraine.

The way ahead requires the continued commitment of the Government of Canada. There is great support for the government’s ongoing efforts to fine-tune its foreign policy and technical assistance programs vis a vis Ukraine. The government focus on citizen engagement must be taken very seriously and the community must undertake its role with balance, and a sensitivity to the full range of factors that must be considered by government policy. At his point in time, the Senate policy review, the work of the Intergovernmental Economic Commission and the CIDA review of its "lessons learned” all present key opportunities for input.

It is understood that Canada’s technical assistance will inevitably be linked to certain Canadian objectives and values. While this is fully understandable, the blending of these with the priority needs of Ukraine must be done with care and sensitivity. The Government of Canada has done much; it will inevitably be called upon to do more.

The way ahead requires greater involvement of Canadian business. The time has never been better to revisit business to business relationships.

The last decade has been marked by a few notable successes for Canadian business in Ukraine. However, momentum and energy have dissipated by the well know difficulties presented by the slow pace of reform in Ukraine. The current positive indicators signal that it is time for a renewed effort by the Canadian private sector to enter the Ukrainian market.

A decade of frustrations have left some business people understandably reluctant to renew the charge. Consequently, it is vital that a new generation of Canadian entrepreneurs be engaged and encouraged to build new partnerships in Ukraine.

Among the objectives of the Canadian Issues Roundtable was

• to provide fresh input for the ongoing dialogue between the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Federation at all levels of government;
• to guide the Federation in its choice of specific initiatives that will contribute to moving forward

The Federation, an important part of the Canadian Ukrainian community, and a particularly vigorous member of the Canadian Ukrainian Congress, seeks to share the results of this Roundtable with all its sister organizations and to work within the community for the development of a shared agenda.

To this end, the Proposed Action Plan Elements contain a draft set of policy principles and possible initiatives that are derived from both the preparatory work done last year and the Issues Roundtable 2000. The National executive invites membership comment on this draft. Actions Plan for Canada’s Foreign Policy and Technical Assistance for Ukraine

Foreign Policy

On the Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence, Canada might wish to consider

• Reaffirming internationally its support for Ukraine and elaborate further in operational terms the special relationship between the two nations
• Developing a multi-year action plan of bi-lateral support and multi-lateral engagement involving key international agencies including UN, NATO, WTO, G-8, G-20, IMF, World Bank, OECS
• Commissioning an independent report on the role of Ukraine in the peace and security of Eastern Europe and the world
• Organizing a visit by the President or Prime Minister of Ukraine to Canada, on the tenth anniversary of Ukraine's independence

Technical Assistance

After ten years of technical assistance to Ukraine, much of it dedicated to the issues surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, consideration should be given to

• Enlarging the Technical Assistance Program to more aptly reflect the strategic importance of Ukraine globally, and the fact that Ukrainians have provided an immeasurable contribution to Canada for over a century
• Developing, with Ukraine, a comprehensive overview of governance issues, priorities and department-by-department programs for bi-lateral undertakings with mentoring from a respected and well run democratic country like Canada
• Enlarging exchange programs with multiple sectors at all levels
• Establishing a world class policy/research centre on Ukrainian issues in Canada
• Pursuing the Ukraine initiatives with other Western partners
• Capitalizing on the large numbers of professionals especially the high tech experts and conversely, assisting Ukraine in embracing more vigorously the internet era

Trade and investment

Despite the difficulties encountered in this sector, renew the effort in trade and investment starting with the Intergovernmental Economic Commission in the early months of 2001. Develop a joint strategy identifying sectors, priorities and providing a plan for renewed economic efforts with a timetable.

Further Considerations

The departments and agencies involved with Ukraine should actively seek out Canadians of Ukrainian descent, with meritorious expertise and language skills, to become involved in the full range of the Canada/Ukraine initiatives. Cultural and linguistic know-how is critical to successful results.

ISSUE 2 CANADIAN DIVERSITY; MAKING IT WORK

Overview

Multiculturalism is a uniquely Canadian success story which has, in recent years, suffered from an image problem. It is one of the few government policies devoted to examining what and who we are as Canadians. And, importantly, the one that has brought Canada recognition as a leader among tolerant societies of the world.

Canada is a work-in-progress. Multiculturalism is the means by which Canada can move forward into the next stage of evolution: the search for the uniquely Canadian culture. This a complex task; not easy to explain, understand or buy into. Perhaps because of its complexity, Multiculturalism has been taken over by other, perhaps more obvious claims.

Taking Stock

After some thirty years of Multiculturalism there is need to go back to first principles. From its initial focus of unity -through- diversity, the notion that all ethnic cultures on Canadian soil are Canadian; that we need to know and be ourselves before we can be Canadian, the policy has shifted, apparently to serve equity programs and fighting racial discrimination. This has led to duplication among government programs which have established equity programs in their own right. As a result several departments and agencies seek taxpayers money to go after the same clientele: the practice is repeated in provincial jurisdictions; and reflected throughout the social structure in employment recruitment, the arts, media of the country to name a few. This duplications an area for the Auditor General's consideration.

Significantly, with the re-direction of funding came the re-direction of emphasis. As a result Canadian Multiculturalism is in disfavour. This has a negative effect on Canadians that identify with it and is particularly true in Western Canada. The message is clear: the government is not in tune with our needs; we are persona non grata to our government. In turn, this disaffection may have been reflected during the elections.

The discussions at the Roundtable affirmed that racism is bad and needs to be addressed, but emphasized that Muliculturalism is central to the definition of Canada. To ensure the accommodation of both the government needs to separate out programs aimed at racial equity from programs devoted to Multiculturalism. Both are important but different. Despite the review of the Multicultural Program several years ago, its three new objectives social justice, identity and belonging, and civic participation, while expressing inclusivity miss the mark in practice. For example, the Roundtable of Canadian Issues, a forum discussing the future of Canadian Diversity with a focus on all three objectives was denied funding at the very last moment. The reason given: a decision to shift funds from Canadian diversity and Multiculturalism to a world conference on fighting racism. Attempts to discuss this at a higher levels were ignored.

Understandably, visible minorities are keen on government programs devoted to their integration and access to position of influence and power. The Task Force on Visible Minorities findings intends to expand access to executive ranks of the federal government. And there are benefits from the Multicultural programs' shift from cultural enhancement to racial equality. But this is not an appropriate way for Canada to treat its people: taking from one to give to the other.

Desire to be represented at the top of government and other Canadian institutions is not unique to visible minorities. Historically in Canada, the early cheap-labour minorities, predominantly Ukrainians, were faced with their own set of discriminations and unequal treatment parallel to much of the hardship experienced by the blacks of the US, for example, and have strived and continue to work for equal participation in Canada's society.

Thus it has not gone un-noticed that without Multiculturalism, the non Anglo-Saxon and French Europeans, are not included in the government's attempts to balance formally opportunities of the minorities with the majorities. This is particularly true for the males of the non-founding European people in Canada: they are not accommodated in any government policy; not in the founding peoples reality nor in the redress of the equity programs. They do not fit the "stacked profile" at all.

Thus after 125 years of settlement in this country, for example, Canadian Ukrainians have had only one deputy-minister in Ottawa and a handful, at best, of appointments at the one level down, putting a sharp point on the need for equal access of many meritorious minorities to the top echelons of Canada's bureaucracy and other institutions of power.

All of us need to be accommodated within Canada before we can start building, in common, a new Canadian entity. To that end Multiculturalism needs to be re-defined and re-instated as an important government priority which serves all Canadians. It is much easier to accommodate special needs of some groups some of the time in Canada if there is fundamental understanding that all Canadians are special in some ways and may need such special consideration at some point in time. Multiculturalism is the policy of accommodation: it is needed to make as divers a country as Canada work.

Language retention and enhancement of cultural diversity are also a key issue to Canadians. Some, like the founding peoples have enshrined their unique position in official bilingualism. Their numbers are such that they need not fear, at least in the near term, a threat to their cultural identity. The other established cultures, those who have been in Canada for over a hundred years, like the Ukrainians who consider themselves a founding people of the West, wish to have similar status and continue to strive for recognition on their needs. To them, heritage language retention, cultural enhancement, the reflection of their names, histories, successes, even abuses in Canada's mosaic, are paramount in defining themselves as Canadians. Take away who they are and in so doing Canada will have erased a people as fundamental to this country's history as the first or the founding peoples.

This need for language retention and distinct cultural enhancement applies to many Canadians. The ongoing revival of the aboriginal peoples' interest in all aspects of their cultures underscores the need and value of language retention to the self-esteem of any individual. Language, of course, is at the heart of Quebec's fight for distinctiveness. And goes further: the Liberal Task Force on the French language retention in the West devoted nearly $200 million not too long ago to the preservation of the French language in areas with small French populations.

Concerning funding, it is clear that government funding represents commitment, identifies priorities, and as such, its importance goes beyond money. Furthermore, grants for cultural retention have played a valuable role; much of the familiarity of Canadians with their neighbours would not have happened without them. This is considered to be a very important dimension to nurturing Canada's ability to be tolerant. Additionally, it is a money maker for Canadian cultural festivals and a tourist attraction for Canada as a whole. Beyond grants, Canada's Multiculturalism needs to be reflected in government policies and undertakings throughout the system. This means there should be funding provided throughout the government's policy and programs to ensure that Canada develops an appropriate multicultural patina not just to its human resource composition but to its way of thinking as well.

All of us need to be accommodated within Canada before we can start building, in common, a new Canadian identity which goes beyond the practicalities of health care and the pension plan. To that end Multiculturalism needs to be re-asserted as an key government priority in its own right. It is the policy of accommodation of all Canadians and it is needed to make a diverse country like Canada work. It is fundamental to national unity be it in Quebec or in Western Canada.

Moving forward on Canadian Diversity

Currently, Canada is in a stable economic and political position. It is a good time to put in place solid mechanisms of social co-existence; a good time to re-direct government policy to reflect the needs of Canadians who have felt somewhat excluded. Such Canadians, including the Westerners need to feel central to Canada for their disillusionment to disappear. A renewed Multiculturalism can play a part. Good times are also opportune for looking into the future and considering what is to come next in Canada's social and cultural evolution.

The participants of the Roundtable, and others, have put forward ideas on how to move forward on some of these issues, summarized here for further consideration.

Action required

Before any action can be taken in repositioning Multiculturalism as one of the central building blocks of Canada's society, some hard questions need to be answered as guidelines to the next phase of Canada's Multiculturalism:

• What are the consequences of treating some groups differently from others
• How much assimilation, if any , is needed to become Canadian
• What is Canada's way: assimilation to extinction or integration with distinction
• What are the dis-benefits of lumping multiculturalism with fighting racism
• Why is ethnic culture not considered to be part of Canada's cultural industries
• Why is there limited reflection of the different Canadians in the media; how can we know about each other without such exposure

Principles

As a start, principles guiding Multiculturalism should state that it

• Applies to all Canadians
• Validates and accepts each Canadian on his/her own terms
• Underscores that all Canadian cultures are equal and important to Canada
• Builds on integration not assimilation, a negative, discriminatory social force
• Acts as an antidote to discrimination; it is not an exclusively an anti- racism tool
• Builds on integration not assimilation: the latter, a negative, destructive social phenomenon; the former an inclusive one

Furthermore, Multiculturalism

• Programs to be run by people sensitive to all Canadian and policy aims
• Funding to reflect the Canadian population base it is meant to serve

Definitions

Canada is a work in progress seeking to define itself. The job is not yet done. Multiculturalism, which encompasses all Canadians, provides an opportunity to do so. If Multiculturalism is a passe or discredited word, a new one like diversity needs to be found but the principle that we all come together in Canada from different cultures to forge a new one must stay.

Discrimination

Several key points summarize the discussion. Discrimination

• Is unacceptable to Canadians be it the historic abuses against the aboriginal people; other early non- main-stream settlers; the four disadvantaged groups; or the white males, in particular those not belonging to either of the founding groups ie. French and Anglo-Celtic
• Should be understood in Canadian historic terms rather that those of United States which had a history of black slave labour that led to the racial issue. Canada's ethnic labour was not primarily "visible" but European, mostly Ukrainians. This is Canada's starting point in discussing discrimination

Funding

Much work is required to ensure Multiculturalism is fair in its delivery and effective in results. As a start, Multiculturalism funding should be reviewed to ensure that it

• Focuses on programs that emphasize the development of the Multicultural dimension of Canada and move towards the development of a Canadian culture which is seen as being greater than all its parts.
• Reflects the need of many Canadians including the Dene and the First Nations, the well established groups like Ukrainians, Japanese Chinese, and newer groups like those from Ethiopia, for language retention and cultural enhancement
• Supports language retention programs with a mind-set shift from the notion that "foreign" languages undermine the development of Canada's own culture to the view that in a globalized world multilingualism of Canadians is a phenomenal asset
• Reviews but does not abandon grant mechanisms
• Reviews the Multiculturalism program to reflect priorities and needs of all Canadians that it is meant to serve, and
• Allocates appropriate funding to enure dynamic policy impacts in tandem to the proportion of Canadians affected by them.

In conclusion

There is a need, some thirty years after its pronouncement, to have a post-mortem on Multiculturalism. As a start it needs to be separated from the fight against racism; both are valid but separate issues. The philosophy, principles and policies of Multiculturalism need to be actioned in programs and budgets that have government wide application and impact and reflect appropriately the multicultural nature of Canada's society. To ensure that Multiculturalism becomes well entrenched, the government may wish to consider creating an office of Multicultural Ombudsman.

Multiculturalism is the lead-in to the next step in Canada's evolution: the formation of Canada's unique culture. But first, Canada needs to recognize and accommodate the cultures of all its composite groups; a challenge worthy of the number one country in the world. Canada needs to go forward in this challenge and develop a "sovereign state multicultural model" to serve the entire globe. Most countries are now multicultural: global peace and security depend on the successful functioning of such states. Canada should strive to be the world's success model.

With thanks to all participants, panelists and rapporteurs, in particular

Canada / Ukraine Relations: Strategies that work
Eugene Czolij, President UCC
Jim Temerty, Chairman & CEO Northland Power
Olexandr Horin, Embassy of Ukraine
Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Editor Globe and Mail
Wendy Gilmour, D/Director, Eastern Europe, Foreign Affairs
Peter Daniel, Vice President, CIDA
Chair Bill Teron, Chairman and CEO Teron International
Andrea Chalmers
Ken Hepburn
Yaroslav Baran

Canadian Diversity: Making it work
Adrian Boyko, UCC Vice President
Dr. Martin Loney
Sen. Reynell Andreychuk
Chair Dr. Yarema Kelebay, Professor, McGill University
Margaret Kopala
Marika Graham
Nikolaj Bilaniuk

Organization
Olya Henry
Peter Sorokan
Teresa Luhovy
Iris Bradley

Document
Oksana Bashuk Hepburn

01/2001

Return