Sixty five years ago, on 20th September 1953, Dr Raphael Lemkin, a legal scholar, spoke in New York City about Stalin’s four-pronged offensive against Ukraine. The country’s dismemberment began with the evisceration of its heart, mind, and soul, achieved through the murder or deportation of Ukraine’s writers and poets, intelligentsia and clergy. That outrage was coupled with a body blow against Ukraine’s peasantry, the repository of the nation’s traditions, orchestrated through a man-made famine. To finish off the assault the country’s ethnic character was diluted through a mass resettlement of non-Ukrainians, particularly along Ukraine’s eastern marches.
Lemkin, known to history as “the father of the UN Genocide Convention,” understood clearly what had been done, branding it a “classic example of a Soviet genocide.” He estimated 5 million Ukrainians perished during the Great Famine of 1932-1933, now known as the Holodomor. Another observer, Fred E Beal, reported this same figure in his 1937 book, Proletarian Journey. In a conversation held in 1933 with one of the famine’s architects, Grigory Petrovsky, the president of the ostensibly independent Soviet Ukraine, Beal asked: “They say five million people have died this year…What are we going to tell them?” Petrovsky responded frankly: “Tell them nothing! What they say is true. We know that millions are dying. That is unfortunate, but the glorious future of the Soviet Union will justify that. Tell them nothing!” Demographers now calculate over 4 million Ukrainians starved in just 6 months, one of the greatest genocides to befoul 20th century European history.
And yet, for decades, what happened was almost forgotten. Those who spoke out were invariably derided, most notably Gareth Jones, a brilliant Welsh journalist whose first-hand accounts of widespread starvation were suppressed by the “fake news” spread by Walter Duranty, the Pulitzer Prize winning Moscow correspondent of The New York Times. He knowingly bleated the Kremlin line that there was no famine at all. Another truth-teller was the courageous Jewish-Canadian journalist, Rhea Clyman, whose searing accounts of the horror included a May 1933 article in the Toronto Telegraph. She described a peasant near Kharkiv crying: “…we have no bread!…we have nothing to eat. Our children were eating grass in the spring… There was nothing else for them.”
Despite these cris de coeur, and even His Holiness Pope Pius XI’s willingness to organize international relief, millions endured agonizing deaths. Appallingly, their destruction was covered up because, as the British Foreign Office’s Laurence Collier wrote, in June 1934: “The truth of the matter is, of course, that we have a certain amount of information about famine conditions…there is no obligation on us not to make it public. We do not want to [] because the Soviet Government would resent it and our relations with them would be prejudiced.” Even more troubling is how, on 26 September 1933, William Strang, of the British Embassy in Moscow, recorded Duranty admitting: “…as many as 10 million people may have died directly or indirectly from lack of food in the Soviet Union during the past year.” That intelligence was buried. Western governments were complicit in the cover-up of this genocide.
Decades passed before Lemkin’s text was located in The New York Public Library. Published in 2008, widely circulated and translated into many languages since, the thoughts of the man who coined the word “genocide” tell us he was in no doubt that “… a famine was necessary for the Soviet and so they got one to order, by plan…This is not simply a case of mass murder. It is a case of genocide, of the destruction, not of individuals only, but of a culture and a nation.” Stalin’s offspring, the descendants of those who dismissed survivor accounts as the ranting of anti-Soviet émigrés, cannot ignore Dr Lemkin’s conclusion.
On Thursday, with our friends at the Ukrainian Institute of America, the world’s first and only English, Ukrainian, Yiddish and Hebrew plaque, honouring Dr Lemkin for recognizing the genocidal nature of the famine while hallowing the memory of the millions who perished, was unveiled. Flowers were placed on his grave. And this was all done on the 65th anniversary of his speech, in the company of ambassadors, scholars, writers and the public. Remembering a man who spoke truth to power was our privilege, especially at a time when the KGB man in the Kremlin and his minions not only deny the Holodomor but deploy troops against a free Ukraine.
I was a new-born when Dr Lemkin spoke. Now I am older than he was when he died. Yet I know that what happened 85 years ago will not be forgotten, never again, and for that we have thanked a righteous man by the name of Raphael Lemkin.
Lubomyr Luciuk is a professor of political geography at The Royal Military College of Canada.
The Zustreech Ukrainian Society held an appreciation dinner at Mundare’s Ukrainian National Hall, September 16, to thank its members and all the volunteers and donors who assist them in their humanitarian missions for Ukrainian veterans.
Since the outbreak of the war with Russia in 2014, Zustreech has been instrumental in recruiting volunteers and collecting donations of medical supplies from several hospitals and one pharmacy in the Edmonton area and shipping them to Ukraine.
During the past four years, Zustreech has sent seven tons of supplies to the Ukrainian army.
Among the principal donors are Lamont Hospital, Mundare Hospital, University Hospital in Edmonton and Market Drugs in Edmonton.
Much of the success of the humanitarian aid program has been due to the efforts of Zustreech President Bohdan Pivovarchuk.
Bohdan has managed to reach out to doctors, nurses, radiologists, pharmacies, hospitals and military. He has initiated fundraisers at events such as the Pysanka Festival, Vegreville Agricultural Fair, Ukrainian Day, Baba’s and Borshch Festival.
Pivovarchuk had the personal initiative to support Ukraine’s volunteer army both morally and financially. In 2015, Zustreech donated $5,000 from organized fundraisers for medical and material supplies for immediate need of soldiers in Ukraine. As an individual volunteer, Bohdan purchased, delivered and sent packages to Ukraine’s volunteer army battalions weekly since 2014. He supplies boots, hunting gloves, pants, hats, toiletries, candles, hunting jackets, thermal underwear, heavy socks, night vision goggles, knives, medical supplies, Tylenol, gauze, tape, 50 kg of coffee, spotting scopes, hunters knee pads, sweaters, shoes, mechanical tools, GPS equipment and batteries.
In summer of 2015, Bohdan sponsored an army volunteer singer and peace activist, Sofiya Fedyna, to Alberta in a fundraising initiative to raise needed funds for the Ukrainian volunteer army. As a result of the fundraising initiatives and performances by Sofiya Fedyna, $26,000 was raised to support needs of the volunteer battalions in Ukraine. Since 2016 to present time, Bohdan is supporting Kirovohrad Veterans Rehabilitation Hospital in the provision of medical, rehabilitation and psychological to Kirovohrad Oblast Hospital for veterans and their families. Bohdan is also supporting The Social Service agency which provides aid and support to deceased and injured families of veterans.
On his own initiative and personal cost, Bohdan met twice with Doctor Serhiy Siabrenko in Kropyvnytskyi, Ukraine. He made first visit to the hospital in October of 2017 and the second in May of 2018 to confirm and scrutinize that materials were being received and used by appropriate recipients. Bohdan Pivovarchuk visited the front line twice and witnessed needs required by the volunteer army soldiers. He provides not only medical, but needed material items, moral and psychological support. He is currently organizing a fundraising project at Pysanka Festival to continue supporting rehabilitation centre and its supporting agencies. As well, Bohdan is a current member of Vegreville Agricultural Association and an active participant in Vegreville Agricultural Society
Zustreech was founded in Mundare, located 80 kilometres east of Edmonton, in 1996 and the name was chosen as the name because the goal of the society was for Ukrainians to have a meeting place – from word Zustreechatysia. After formally establishing Zustreech as a Society, Pivovarchuk recruited members from Mundare, Smoky Lake, Vegreville and Kalyna Country. Through his initiative, Zustreech Society organized cultural events like Obzynky in the Mundare Recreational Centre in 1997 and 1998. As well, Bohdan organized yearly carolling to raise funds for Zustreech. The overall goal was to maintain and promote Ukrainian cultural activities. In conjunction with Teacher Exchange group from Ukraine, Zustreech Ukrainian Society organized a Theatrical performance in 1998 ‘
As President since 1996, Bohdan coordinated and facilitated Zustreech sing-along events welcoming newcomers from Ukraine to strengthen community and Ukrainian spirit in western Canada. He also provided encouragement, long term moral, financial and social support to Ukrainian newcomers in their adjustment to Canadian life. Many newcomers later became active members in the Ukrainian community. As president, he acted as liaison with Kalyna Country and initiated financial support to the following: Town of Mundare, Town of Lamont, Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2009 to 2018 support for Stars Air Ambulance and 2014 to 2018, support for Ukrainian Volunteer Soldiers. He also coordinated Ukrainian entertainment for Mundare Canada Day.
Recently members of the Ukrainian Canadian community in Toronto had the opportunity to meet with the Mayor of Toronto, John Tory. This was a typical outreach meeting for both incumbent and aspiring politicians. By reaching out to meet with groups in their electorate, the politicians accomplish a dual objective of hearing and better understanding the group’s needs, while at the same time reminding the room of their successes and examples of support, sharing their plans for the future, and hitting home on their key campaign messages in front of a captive audience.
Sometimes, the audience fails to adequately capitalize on the opportunity these meetings present. That was not the case on this occasion. On this occasion, the group raised important points any concerned Torontonian would have – traffic, transit, gun crimes, etc. – which were addressed by Mayor Tory as per his public stance on those matters. On issues raised related to the Ukrainian Canadian community, the assembled community leaders took the opportunity to remind Mayor Tory of Mayor Vitaly Klitschko’s invitation to visit him in Kyiv, encourage business ties between Toronto and Kyiv (and other parts of Ukraine), as well as thank him for his crucial support of making Toronto’s Holodomor memorial a reality. I would be remiss not to thank UCC-Toronto past-president Oksana Rewa and her team for spearheading this important project, and current UCC-Toronto president Taras Bahriy and his hard-working executive for helping raise the funds and taking the ball over the goal line.
It is equally important to note Mayor Tory even wanted to hear details of a recent issue troubling many ethnic communities in Toronto, specifically the 50-year-old International Languages program at the Toronto Catholic District School Board. This program has been recently threatened by an impasse in collective agreements between organized labour and the TCDSB. The issue currently sits with the Ontario’s new Ford government and its Ministry of Education. We are hopeful that the provincial government will work with the TCDSB to resolve this issue as some members of this government have pledged their full support. Even though education decisions rest outside city hall’s mandate, with decisions affecting our children’s education typically made between school boards and the province’s education ministry, Mayor Tory expressed a sincere interest and concern for this issue and pledged to lend his support for this important program – one which reflects the multinational makeup of our city – in any way possible.
It was the prevailing opinion in the room, that John Tory’s time at the helm of what may well be the greatest city in the world, has brought a sense of unity and positivity.
Mayor Tory left us with some insights on that evening, and in fact through his words and actions over the course of his time as Toronto’s Mayor.
The first insight was his ability to set aside partisan politics to get the job done for his constituents. This included working with at first Stephen Harper’s Conservative government, and now Justin Trudeau’s Liberals in Ottawa; and provincially negotiating at first with the Liberal Party and now the recently elected Conservatives. We can take a lesson from this and learn to put aside our partisan stripes in order to ensure our community is adequately and capably represented at all levels of government. We have people in our community who are committed to a life in public service and they should feel confident that we have their backs regardless of the way the political winds are blowing.
The second was Mayor Tory’s lesson of not being afraid to challenge the status quo. He shared the example of the privatization of garbage collection in the western part of Toronto, which ultimately resulted in the providers in the other districts of the city finding a way to deliver the service at a similarly lower cost. The definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing and expecting a different result. Sitting back and criticizing work being undertaken by the leaders of our community institutions and organizations – almost all of whom do it on a volunteer basis – is not a positive way to move our community forward. We need younger generations to continue to increase their support of, and involvement in, the outstanding community organizations we have inherited from those who came before us. In the past couple of years, I have been encouraged by signs including watching younger generations beginning to take leadership roles, and the emergence of collaborative projects and partnerships which have begun to take down the walls of silos that previously existed between some of our community’s organizations and institutions.
A final lesson was to look around and appreciate how lucky we are to live in the city, province and country we live in, supported by a vibrant and productive Ukrainian Canadian community with many institutions, groups, clubs and organizations as we have. He reminded us of the importance of giving back, of looking around and finding people and groups who are less privileged than us and finding a way to help them too. This would allow us to be looked upon with even greater admiration by other groups that make up the rich, multi-cultural landscape of Canada, our home.
We wish Mayor Tory well in his bid for re-election as Toronto’s Mayor. We thank him for his lessons and look forward to his continued support and leadership in the future.
Orest Sklierenko was born and raised in Toronto by parents of Ukrainian ancestry. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko.
Наукове Товариство Ім. Шевченка В Канаді, Едмонтон.
24 серпня 2018 року осередок Західньої Канади Наукового товариства імені Шевченка в Едмонтоні (НТШ) разом з Альбертським товариством сприяння українським студіям організували творчу зустріч українського письменника, перекладача та есеїста Андрія Любки з українською громадою у місті Едмонтон. Зустріч відбулася у Сенатській палаті Альбертського університету. Візит Андрія Любки до Едмонтону був організованій та спонсорований Альбертським товариством сприяння українським студіям.
Зустріч з Андрієм Любкою було розпочато привітаннями Алли Недашківської, голови осередку Західньої Канади НТШ в Едмонтоні. Олександр Панкєєв, президент Альбертського товариства сприяння українським студіям, представив Андрія Любку авдиторії.
Андрій Любка – aвтор збірок поезій «Вісім місяців шизофренії», “ТЕРОРИЗМ”, “Сорок баксів плюс чайові”, книжки прози “КІЛЕР. Збірка історій”, книжки есеїв і колонок “Спати з жінками”, роману “Карбід” (2015, фіналіст конкурсу “Книга року Бі-Бі-Сі”), збірки оповідань “Кімната для печалі” та збірки історій “Саудаде”.
Окремі твори Андрія Любки перекладено англійською, німецькою, китайською, португальською, російською, чеською, польською, сербською, македонською, литовською, словацькою, румунською та турецькою мовами.
Андрій Любка також лауреат багатьох літературних премій, зокрема: “Дебют” (2007), “Київські лаври” (2011), премії Фонду Ковалевих за найкращу прозову книжку року (2017) та премії імені Юрія Шевельова за модерну есеїстику (книжка “Саудаде”, 2017).
Андрій Любка також дописувач до видань “Радіо Свобода”, “Збруч” та “День”.
Під час зустрічі Андрій Любка розповів про свої твори та прочитав своє оповідання “Королева рами”, що входить до збірки “Кімната для печалі”. За словами письменника, в оповіданні розповідається реальна історія, що трапилася в Ужгороді одразу після Другої світової війни. Андрій Любка також показав короткометражний фільм “Лишатися не можна тікати”, який був знятий українським режисером Мариною Лопушиною за мотивами оповідання “Королева рами”. Головну роль у фільмі зіграли Наталія Рибка-Пархоменко, акторка Театру ім. Леся Курбаса.
На завершення зустрічі Андрій Любка розповів про Закарпаття, русинське питання та угорську національну меншину у регіоні.
Творча зустріч закінчилася цікавими питаннями від слухачів і жвавою дискусією із доповідачем.
Maria Huk for New Pathway – Ukrainian News, Montreal.
Ukrainian cyclists of “Chumak Way” had two events coordinated by UNF-Montreal president. The first, having crossed the US-Canada border, was organized in the Ontario community of Morrisburg on August 8, where the president, Dr. Artem Luhovy, works. Ms. Janeen Wageman hosted a dinner for the eight cyclists upon their arrival. This was followed by a ninety minute Q & A at the St. Laurence Medical Centre, interacting with various medical professionals. Next morning, breakfast was hosted by Ms. Rosemary Laurin who also organized kayaking on the St. Lawrence River for the group, before the cyclists headed further.
Cycling from Ottawa, “Chumak Way” arrived in Montreal greeted that evening by members of UNF-Montral and the Montreal community at the home of Dr. Artem Luhovy and Dr. Nadia Demko on August 11. This was followed by a meet and greet event the next day with the Montreal community at UNF-Montreal hall. Helping to organize the two-day Montreal visit were Katrusia Smolynec, Anastasia Kyva, and Nestor Lewyckyj. An interview with the cyclists was conduced for radio “Ukrainian Time” by producer, Simon Kouklewsky.
The mission of “Chumak Way” cyclists, to inform and draw public attention to the ongoing war in eastern Ukraine, coincided with the story depicted in Montreal produced feature documentary film “Recovery Room”. The cyclists had an opportunity to have a private screening of the documentary, with the director Adriana Luhovy present. The cyclists were surprised the documentary was made in the diaspora and so powerfully grasped the ongoing war and its impact. Two of the cylcists, Kostyantyn Samchuk and Dr. Serhii Konoval, veterans of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, took part in the armed struggle in eastern Ukraine in 2014-15. The story they saw in “Recovery Room” regarding the Canadian medical missions to Ukraine, organized by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, brought flashbacks of scenes of the war they experienced first-hand.
From Montreal, “Chumak Way” cycling-tour for peace and support of families and orphans who suffered from the war, continued to Washington DC, ending their 10,000km North American tour which began in Los Angeles.
UNF-Montreal’s second project was on the weekend of September 8, participating at the annual Montreal Ukrainian Festival, headed by festival organizer Greg Bedik with Maria Surzycia, and his team. A firm supporter of the Festival for 19 years, UNF-Montreal had its Festival information table, highlighting publications released in Ukraine by Mykola Kravchenko, brought in from Kyiv by the UNF-Montreal “Literaturne Studio” headed by Rosyslav Nyemtsev. Marking the 85th anniversary of the famine-genocide, Montreal-produced documentaries “Genocide Revealed” were on display. This year UNF-Montreal shared their tent with McGill Ukrainian Students Association (MUSA). McGill student, Zachary Senick, shared information with the public about the activities of MUSA, and encouraged first-year university students to join their McGill club. Graduates of McGill have been joining UNF revitalizing the Montreal branch and bringing new ideas for branch and general community projects.
For further information regarding UNF-Montreal activities contact Darya Naumova at
secretary@unfmontreal.ca
On August 29, 2018 a team of Ukrainian cyclists completed their 10,000 km transcontinental cycling tour across North America in 100 days. The team of 10 cycling enthusiasts and war veterans and called “Chumak Way – cycle U.S. & Canada for Peace” cycled 100-200 km per day from Pacific to Atlantic to raise awareness about the need for peace in Ukraine and to raise funds for the victims of war in Eastern Ukraine. The cyclists engaged people in their project by demonstrating innovative bike designs and tech made in Ukraine.
“We managed to cycle 10,000 km in 100 days across the US & Canada. This effort helped us to raise over $10,000 US for children orphaned through ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine. We are grateful to Canadians and Americans for their openness, generosity and for cycling with in the name of peace.” says Chumak Way team leader and Eastern Ukraine war veteran Kostiantyn Samchuk.
Funds raised by Chumak Way will be used to help build a new home for the family raising 9 war orphans and to help young son of Ukrainian war veteran. More information: http://proidysvit.org/uk/category/dopomoga
Chumak Way cycling tour started in Los Angeles on May 23 and went through over 400 cities and towns of North America ending on August 29 in Washington D.C. During the tour the cyclists met with many activists, community leaders, civil society organizations, politicians, and other cyclists along the way.
Chumak Way cycling tour is organized by non-profit Proidysvit.org led by Kostiantyn Samchuk in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, local Ukrainian community organizations, parishes and individuals.
д-р Алла Недашківська, директор Методичного центру української мови, КІУС, Едмонтон.
Дирекції трьох українсько-канадських фундацій та Канадський інститут українських студій (КІУС) Альбертського університету з приємністю повідомляють, що завдяки їхнім спільним зусиллям створюється Фонд сприяння розвитку україномовної освіти в Альберті та поза її межами імени професора Манолія Р. Лупула, метою якого є підтримка діяльности Методичного центру української мови (МЦУМ) при КІУСі.
Ця унікальна ініціятива спільно запроваджена Альбертською Фундацією сприяння українській освіті (АФСУО, президент Влодко Бойчук), Канадською фундацією українських студій (КФУС, президент Ольга Купловська) та Канадсько-українською фундацією (КУФ, президент Віктор Гетьманчук).
Новий фонд засновано на честь професора Манолія Лупула з нагоди його 90-ї річниці від дня народження, вшанування його діяльности як національного провідника політики багатокультурности та засновника КІУСу в 1976 році. Щорічні надходження від Фонду ім. професора Манолія Лупула допоможуть забезпечити фінансування проектів МЦУМу при КІУСі.
Нащадок українських першопоселенців з Виллинґдонського району у Східньо-центральній Альберті, д-р Лупул відіграв ключову ролю у заснуванні КІУСу і був відповідальним за успішне керівництво Інститутом на ранньому етапі його існування — у першому десятилітті від його заснування у 1976 р. Випускник Альбертського, Міннесотського та Гарвардського (докторат 1963 р.) університетів, д-р Лупул був визначним членом Федерації українсько-канадських професіоналістів і підприємців, який просував ідеї впровадження політики багатокультурности в Канаді та занесення у 1988 р. положення про багатокультурність у Канадську Хартію Прав і Свобод. Професор Лупул опублікував спогади про свій шлях громадського діяча та професійний доробок науковця у праці «The Politics of Multiculturalism: A Ukrainian-Canadian Memoir» (2005). У 2003 р. він був нагороджений Орденом Канади.
МЦУМ — це єдиний університетський центр у Північній Америці, що займається вдосконаленням викладання, вивчення та досліджень в україномовній освіті. Надходження від фонду будуть використані для розвитку нових україномовних цифрових та інших навчальних ресурсів, що забезпечить професійний розвиток освітян і дослідників, та сприятиме покращенню знань школярів початкових, середніх і старших кляс у школах та інших навчальних закладах в Канаді, а також студентів вищої освіти.
Перший головний внесок до Фонду ім. професора Манолія Лупула надійшов від Асоціяції Українознавчого консорціуму інтернет-порталу (УКіП). Асоціяція УКіП, заснованa в 2003 р., є лідером у створенні україномовних цифрових ресурсів для української двомовної програми в Альбертських школах. Тогочасна директорка МЦУМу Маруся Петришин наголошувала на необхідності створення такого фонду. Нинішня Рада директорів Асоціяції УКіП на чолі з докторкою Оленкою Білаш схвалила у 2017 році внесок у розмірі 25 000 дол., який був підтриманий і прийнятий теперішньою директоркою МЦУМу доктором Аллою Недашківською.
Правовстановлюючі документи Фонду сприяння розвитку україномовної освіти ім. професора Манолія Р. Лупула було підписано 23 липня 2018 року представниками фонду Ольгою Купловською (КФУС), Романом Петришиним (КУФ) та Влодком Бойчуком (АФСУО), а також представниками Альбертського ун-ту Ярославом Баланом (КІУС) і Аллою Недашківською (МЦУМ–КІУС).
Альянс трьох донорських фундацій координуватиме щорічні громадські кампанії збору коштів для підтримки діяльности фонду та розвитку українських освітніх двомовних програм, які стали престижними від часу здобуття Україною незалежности. Українська мова є офіційною державною мовою в Україні, а також обов’язковою для навчально-освітньої системи. У Канаді вивчення української мови почалось від часу прибуття у 1892 році першопоселенців, і тепер її вивчають тисячі студентів як у державних школах, так і в приватних громадських програмах по всій країні. Знання української мови дає її носіям можливість встановити доступ до древніх традицій культури, народньої спадщини та образотворчого мистецтва, і також забезпечує зв’язок українців у Канаді з народом України та українцями в більш ніж сорока країнах світу. Щоб підтримати Фонд сприяння розвитку україномовної освіти ім. професора Манолія Р. Лупула, просимо зробити пожертву на безпечному сервері тут.
The Holodomor National Awareness Tour (HNAT) together with the Ukrainian World Congress held a candle lighting ceremony in remembrance of the innocent victims of the genocidal policy of the Stalin regime, known as the Holodomor, September 21.
The ceremony took place at Chaminade College School in Toronto during the Holodomor Mobile Classroom’s visit to the school. This candle lighting event is part of a global initiative by the Ukrainian World Congress to commemorate the victims of the Holodomor and will culminate an 85-day journey across five continents on November 24th, 2018, International Holodomor Memorial Day in Kyiv, Ukraine.
The commemoration at Chaminade College School included prayers in memory of the millions of people who died during the Holodomor, an excerpt from a Holodomor survivor and the lighting of a candle in memory of the millions who died during the famine-genocide of 1932-1933, the Holodomor.
Tony Augello, principal of Chaminade College School said “It’s important to respect and honor the people who suffered and died during the Holodomor genocide and to take steps to prevent it from happening again. It’s up to our students to be responsible citizens and become discerning future leaders in our world today.”
Andrii Veselovskyi, Consul General of Ukraine in Toronto added “Understanding a horrific past will help build a rightful future”.
Olga Kunyckyj, a teacher at the school who organized the school’s participation in today’s event said “I am very proud that Chaminade College High School has been a part of the international campaign during which a candle was lit in the remembrance of Holodomor victims. We are glad to have had this opportunity for our community to honour and respect victims of this genocide. Furthermore, this campaign gave an opportunity to our community to learn about social justice, human rights and value of human life, ensuring that such a tragedy does not repeat itself. Thank you to all the organizers and mostly our students, staff and administration in making this possible.”
Following the commemorative candle lighting ceremony, the Holodomor National Awareness Tour conducted 4 one-hour interactive lessons for students of Chaminade College School about the Holodomor and its relevance to the world today, on board its Holodomor Mobile Classroom (HMC).
The Holodomor National Awareness Tour is a project of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation that operates a state-of-the art interactive audio-visual learning centre, Holodomor Mobile Classroom, geared to high schools, universities and the public. It educates Canadian students, community leaders and the public about the horrific events of the Holodomor Famine-Genocide in Ukraine 1932-33, and its relevance to the world today.
The Canada-Ukraine Foundation and the Holodomor National Awareness Tour have received two grants totalling approximately $3 million from the Government of Canada, Ministry of Canadian Heritage since the inception of the Holodomor National Awareness Tour in 2015. This year a $750,000 grant was received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, one of Canada’s largest granting foundations. With a budget of over $136 million, OTF awards grants to some 1,000 projects every year to build healthy and vibrant Ontario communities.
Katherine Caljkusic, University of Toronto, for NP-UN, Toronto.
What is menopause?
Menopause happens in all women, usually around the age of 50. The medical definition of menopause is the absence of a period for a full 12 months. While no monthly menstruation may be great news, many women can experience bothersome symptoms. During menopause, hormone levels are changing, resulting in common menopausal symptoms that women often complain about. These include: hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, pain with intercourse, anxiety and other physical and emotional changes.
Hot flashes and night sweats! How do you stop them?
Hot flashes, or night sweats are flashes of warmth, in which a woman may begin to feel very hot. Some describe it as warmth starting in the chest and moving up towards the head, leaving the face red, and sweaty. Hot flashes are typically used to described episodes which occur throughout the day, while night sweats occur during the night. They differ in intensity, frequency and length amongst women. For some ladies, night sweats may disrupt sleep, and cause insomnia, while for others hot flashes may occur often during the day, for minutes at a time. In any case, menopausal hot flashes may negatively impact a woman’s’ quality of life.
Some women may experience hot flashes for a couple of years after menopause starts, while for others they may last a lifetime. One tip to help deal with hot flashes is to keep the bedroom cool, especially at night. Also, restricting spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol may help, as these foods can trigger episodes. Aerobic exercise is recommended as it has been shown to decrease hot flashes, and wearing multiple layers of clothes can also be beneficial, as removing a layer once a hot flash episode begins may decrease the duration of the episode. Stopping smoking and weight loss are other factors which can promote reduction of hot flashes. Some natural over-the-counter products which have shown benefit for reducing hot flashes include black cohosh, and evening primrose oil. Ask your pharmacist if those products are right for you!
Vaginal dryness, it’s causing me pain!
Due to the decrease in estrogen when menopause begins, vaginal dryness occurs, which can lead to pain. Pain can occur even when sitting, urinating, exercising and most commonly with intercourse. Vaginal discharge may change as well, with the discharge becoming more watery, and irritating. Some tips to help with dryness include using vaginal moisturizers 2-3 times per week to help to draw moisture into the vagina and vaginal lubricants should be used prior to intercourse. Ask your pharmacist which over-the-counter products are best for you.
What if those non-pharmacological methods don’t help?
Some women require prescription medication to help manage their menopausal symptoms, as they may be more severe and bothersome. Estrogen is first line therapy for hot flashes and vaginal dryness. It can be given as an oral pill, a patch, cream or a vaginal tablet. Birth control pills are also an option, as they have both estrogen and progesterone. Other prescription medications which have shown effectiveness for hot flashes are anti-depressants, which may be an option for women experiencing problems with mood and anxiety due to beginning menopause. Therefore, it is best to have a discussion with your doctor about which option is best for you.
Menopause is a time of change for ladies, and it is important to embrace this change, however it is also best to seek advice and get your questions answered from your doctor and pharmacist so that they can help this transition be a smooth one.
On Sunday, the U.S. and Canada reached a deal to update the North American Free Trade Agreement and sign the United States Mexico Canada Agreement.
Bohdan Leshchyshen, a former member of the Board of Directors of Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce, who holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation and has extensive experience in investment research and the financial services sector, had this to say about the new deal:
“First of all it is good that the Canadian government finally entered into transaction and concluded negotiations with the American government. Had we not had the agreement there was a big possibility that the US would put tariffs on our automobile industry which is about a trillion dollar industry that would cause huge economic problems. The U.S. also would put additional tariffs on our aluminum industry. It looks like they reached an agreement not to have tariffs on automobiles and to review tariffs on aluminum. They also left the dispute mechanism in place which is the only thing to protect us from the States in case something happens.
“So, they won on some things but what they lost is they are allowing the U.S. dairy industry to enter into Canada. This what the European industry is now allowed to do but from what I understand they are not doing it that much. The American industry will be doing that because their selling prices are lower than in Canada. I believe personally that the Supply Management system we have Canada is not conducive to running businesses properly. We have marketing boards for beef, pork, milk, poultry and eggs. These all restrict the ability of business people to make good business decisions because there are quota systems, they restrict how much you can sell and the selling prices. The agreement with the U.S. will create problems for some of these farmers initially but it will bring proper pricing and proper supply management of these commodities which most consumers are overpaying for. From the economic point of view, this will not have as big an effect as it would if tariffs had been slapped on the automobile industry.
“I guess the government had to make a decision where it is going to compromise and from the political point of view it was the right decision. It is interesting that the concessions on the supply management were opposed from both sides of Parliament. Part of the reason this is happening is that the dairy industry is very powerful in Quebec and both parties want to win seats in Quebec away from the NDP. Initially, there will be opposition from the farmer community but overall it’s a positive thing – the stock market is up already. It’s the best they could do under trying situation.”
The Collective Agreement between the Toronto Catholic District School Board and the Toronto Elementary Catholic Teachers Association (TECT), which was reached in spring 2018, had consequences for students and their parents in many Catholic schools.
The Agreement eliminated the extended day model which the schools had as a result of their International Languages programs. TCDSB decided that international languages instruction would now be provided for four classes per week instead of five classes, while day start and dismissal times also changed.
This triggered concerns on the part of parents and guardians about bus transportation schedules. These concerns have materialized with the beginning of the new school year for eight Catholic Schools in Toronto, including two Eastern Rite schools in Etobicoke: St. Josaphat Catholic School and Josyf Cardinal Slipyj Catholic School. After the school day schedule changed, bus transportation services have not always kept up with the changes.
One of the reactions to this situation reads (on the community Facebook page): “This is absolutely outrageous!!! Toronto Catholic District School Board should be ashamed for neglecting the children at JCS [Josyf Cardinal Slipyj Catholic School – NP-UN] school & SIX other schools! First the board took away 30min of learning and neglected to plan accordingly with the buses. Now the kids are sitting OUTSIDE with limited access to shelter and washrooms while waiting for the bus to arrive – in some cases [for] up to ONE HOUR after school finishes!!!”
Kevin Hodgkinson, General Manager with the Toronto Student Transportation Group, told NP-UN that the Group informed the School Board in June that it can not provide the service for all the schools according to the new schedule. The Group indicated that eight schools would continue to be serviced according to the last year’s schedules due to the lack of drivers. According to Hodgkinson, TCDSB indicated that it would add resources to those schools to manage the students at the end of school day, be it daily fitness or some other activities.
NP-UN’s sources have provided contradictory information as to whether TCDSB and particular Eastern Rite schools have provided students with suitable accommodations while they wait for the bus, taking into account weather and safety conditions. Several parents at the Josyf Cardinal Slipyj Catholic School have claimed that the students have been exposed to the heat and rain but the School’s principal, Anna Iwasykiw, assured NP-UN that the students have been and will be given proper shelter.
In her interview for KONTAKT Ukrainian TV, the current Toronto Catholic School Trustee – Ward 2 Etobicoke, Ann Andrachuk, said that she is pushing the Board to look for the solution and advised the parents, in particular, to escalate the issue to TCDSB’s Director of Education, Rory McGuckin, and to General Manager of the Toronto Student Transportation Group, Kevin Hodgkinson.
The candidate for the Ward 2 Trustee, Marcus de Domenico, called TCDSB’s decision to change the International Languages program “last minute” and “very poorly thought-out”, and criticized it for not taking into account the bussing issue.
Kevin Hodgkinson (Toronto Student Transportation Group) told NP-UN that it won’t be until the New Year that the transportation companies will complete hiring and training additional drivers. This extra staff will allow the companies to change the routes and pick up the students at their schools between 3:00 pm and 3:20 pm.
Daniel Bartchouk, special for New Pathway – Ukrainian News.
Every year, Ukrainian Credit Union Limited awards various scholarships to young members of the community. This year, different awards were given to nine aspiring higher education students. The 2018 UCU Scholarship Awards ceremony was held recently at the UNF Hall Foyer.
The students were each being presented an award that evening, an acclaimed recognition in attaining academic, communal, or personal success. The hall was adorned, wine was poured, and tables were filled with various Eastern-European foods and refreshments.
Members from the UCU Board of Directors were in attendance and preparing to present the recipients an honorary plaque.
The UCU Community Leadership Award was given to recipients Melania Gegar (Rodak), Olha Hnatyshyn, Nadia Lashchuk and Martin Lebed for their above-and-beyond work in their fields of study and selfless contributions to the community. Nadia Lashchuk, a new doctoral (PhD) student in Materials Science at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) was overwhelmed at the opportunity she was presented with:
“I have already invested a lot into my education, and I still have a few years left to go. Therefore, any financial support that I obtain means a great deal to me. I would not be where I am today without members of the community assisting me. Unfortunately, university costs a great deal, especially when you have studied for as many years as I have. I am extra thankful to the Ukrainian Credit Union for providing this opportunity to Ukrainians in the diaspora. I have always felt like a large family with Ukrainians here in the GTA, and it is for reasons such as this. From the bottom of my heart, duzhe diakuu.”
The Board Chair’s Scholarship was presented to Violetta Skrypnyk for her above average performance in Ukrainian Studies and the Eugene Roman Scholarship awarded to Luke Daschko for his academic performance leading to a field of study in the technology sector.
The New Pathway Fellowship was given to Daniel Bartchouk for his study in journalism, and Liza Zienchuk received the Wasyl Sytnyk Memorial Scholarship awarded for leadership and exemplary study in the business and finance sectors.
Bartchouk is a student of literature and history at Queen’s University:
“University is expensive when you begin to add up tuition, books, housing, food etc. Any little bit helps, honestly, and I am very grateful for the support in the Ukrainian community. I am very proud to be a member and hope to return the favour some day.”
Liza Zienchuck, in her fifth year of a Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Financial Math at Wilfred Laurier University said;
“I feel very honoured that I was chosen as this years recipient for the Wasyl Sytnyk memorial scholarship. Mr. Sytnyk was a hardworking member of our community, which he continuously served throughout his life, setting an example for Ukrainian youth to follow. He will continue to inspire me to be involved and give back to our community, and upon graduation, to continue to look for ways to contribute to the growth and development of the Ukrainian diaspora in Canada. Thank you to UCU for the opportunity to apply for such a scholarship, and for always supporting youth in their studies. Myself and the other recipients this year will work hard to return this investment tenfold by continuing to be loyal servants in the Ukrainian community.”
The Michael Rebryk Memorial Scholarship was presented to Roman Korol, future student of Theoritical/Computational Chemistry at California Institute of Technology for his academic achievements in theoretical chemistry and chemical physics, volunteer work in We Love UA promoting Ukrainian culture, and numerous awards recognizing academic excellence.
The former U of T graduate expressed his gratitude;
“I am absolutely delighted to have won the scholarship and it will help me focus on my further education. It is awesome to be recognized by the Ukrainian Credit Union and I am extremely happy to be a part of the strong and vibrant Ukrainian community.”
The recipients graciously accepted the awards with firm handshakes and kind words of gratitude, that acknowledge the generosity that has been shown. Their emotion was expressed in the speeches made after; honest and heartfelt projections of the opportunity presented to them with these gifts.
Daniel Bartchouk is this year’s winner of Ukrainian Credit Union Limited’s
New Pathway Journalism Fellowship
The Shevchenko Foundation, in partnership with the Ihnatowycz Family Foundation, launched a new mentorship program for emerging Ukrainian-Canadian artists. The program, titled REACH Mentorship / Residency for the Arts, provides funding for artists of all genres to nurture their talent, vision, and drive in earlier stages of development. Artists can work with a professional mentor, apply for residency programs and internships, receive training and qualifications/certificates, attend workshops, and focus on research.
“We created this opportunity to give artists in our community what they need to reach higher, further, and deeper in their craft with greater confidence and curiosity and to enable them to reach beyond their current communities and markets,” said Canadian businessman and philanthropist Ian Ihnatowycz and Marta Witer for The Shevchenko Foundation.
The new initiative was launched on September 13 at Super Wonder Gallery in Toronto. The celebration showcased art installations, live performances and presentations from young musicians, artists, filmmakers and photographers across Canada.
The music was provided by: Luka (acoustic indie folk); Katya Khartova (Soprano) and Ariane Meredith (Mezzo-soprano) accompanied by Marichka Marczyk; Moskitto BAR (Iraqi-Breton-Ukrainian Folk); DoVira (trance/electronica); and Vova Bedzvin (loop-y indie-folk cellist).
The artists included: Olenka Kleban (larger than life paper cuts); Yura Rafaluik (blasphemous folk icons); Borys Tarasenko (sketch with video art); Myroslava Boikiv (embroider/tapestry explosion); Dima Nechepurenko (video designer and documentary cinematographer).
Presenters for the evening were: Marta Iwanek (photographer/filmmaker); Bozena Hrycyna (community activist, folk artist, Kosa Kolektiv + Folk Camp); Marta Czurylowicz (CTV Kitchener and KONTAKT Ukrainian TV); Lianna Makuch (Pyretic Productions).
The evening was curated by: Mark Marczyk (Lemon Bucket Orkestra, Counting Sheep); Oksana Hawrylak (Folk Camp, Kosa Kolektiv); Matthew Cherkas (tech); Rory Howson (tech); Ewelina Ferenc (admin).
The REACH program invites artists from the Ukrainian-Canadian community as well as non-Ukrainian artists whose work has a connection to Ukrainian heritage. These artists can reach out to established/renowned artists, arts organizations and institutions for mentorship. The Foundation is interested in the following kinds of projects:
• Projects that promote the inclusion of Ukrainian-Canadian cultural heritage and help shape the Canadian image at home and abroad;
• Projects that have an aim/plan for presentation outside of the Ukrainian-Canadian community, nationally or internationally;
• Projects whose goal is artistic growth and professional development;
• New projects (i.e. ones that haven’t been started in advance of the application process).
An Adjudication Committee, chaired by a member of the Board of The Shevchenko Foundation, will manage the candidate application, adjudication, and outcomes. The results will be available by the end of April 2019. The next deadline to apply is February 1, 2019.
Applications and additional information are available on www.reachmentorship.com
L-R: Mark Marczyk (Lemon Bucket Orkestra), Ian Ihnatowycz and Orest Sklierenko (Shevchenko Foundation) at the launch of REACH on September 13 at Super Wonder Gallery in Toronto. (All photos Adriana Luhovy / REACH)Lesia Szwaluk (right), Executive Director of the Shevchenko FoundationAcoustic indie folk band LukaBozena Hrycyna and Moskitto Bar
Sometime in the next month or two, Ecumenical Patriarch and Archbishop of Constantinople Bartholomew will issue a “Tomos”, a special religious decree granting autocephaly (self government) to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine.
This is something that most Ukrainian Orthodox faithful have been waiting for since 1686, when the Patriarchate was moved under dubious and politically motivated circumstances from Kyiv to Moscow. To most Ukrainians, that move had nothing to do with religion and everything to do with Moscow’s imperialistic campaigns to conquer and subjugate all the lands of Eastern Europe, Siberia and the far east of Asia. To the Muscovites, the Orthodox church was just another tool to be used to achieve that aim. Since then, the Orthodox church in Ukraine has been under the reactionary and Russified rule of the Moscow Patriarchate (MP).
The tight allegiance of the MP to the current Russian state is but a continuation of a centuries old symbiotic relationship. During Tsarist times, the church was one of the pillars that supported the autocratic feudal state. This misguided loyalty was aptly demonstrated by the Russian Orthodox church declaring in the year 2000 that the last Tsar Nicholas, his wife Alexandra and his five children, would be named saints. One can debate that moral strengths and weaknesses of the last Tsar, but to name this autocrat who was responsible for the persecution and death of thousands a saint, says much about the lack of moral and spiritual underpinning of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Over the past several decades, the MP has been a staunch supporter of Putin’s anti-Ukrainian policies, and a de facto agency of the Russian government. There are credible claims that the current Patriarch, Kirill, was a long-time agent of the KGB, and it is highly likely that he still has strong ties to the Russian secret services. Kirill make no bones about his support for Putin’s annexation of Crimea and his invasion of Eastern Ukraine. Priests of the MP in Ukraine have overtly co-operated and assisted the Russian forces in Eastern Ukraine in their illegal invasion and occupation of Ukrainian territories. The churches of the MP in Ukraine are nothing else but a fifth column serving the interests of their masters in Moscow.
Patriarch Kirill and the MP are particularly vociferous in condemning the impending Tomos, claiming it to be nothing more than a political power play initiated by Ukraine’s President Poroshenko and the Ukrainian government. To be fair, there is some truth in this assertion. However, coming from the mouth of the head of a church whose actions for centuries have been purely political and anything but spiritual, is to give new meaning to both irony and hypocrisy.
The granting of the Tomos, though a coup for Ukraine and Ukrainian Orthodoxy, will bring on a whole new set of challenges and issues that will not be easy to resolve. There are no less than three Orthodox churches in Ukraine – those of the Moscow Patriarchate, those of the breakaway Kyiv Patriarchate, and also those of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.
The latter two have had ongoing merger discussions for decades, but to date, no agreement has yet been reached. Once the Kyivan Patriarchate (KP) is made canonical, there will no doubt be increased pressure for the Autocephalous church to join them, but it is by no means guaranteed that that is what will actually happen.
The MP will, of course, oppose any efforts to forcibly incorporate their parishes in Ukraine into the new autocephalous and now “canonical” KP. The biggest dilemma will fall on the average Orthodox believer who belongs to an MP parish. They have always been told that the MP was the only true canonical church, and the other Orthodox churches in Ukraine were schismatic, if not heretical. Now, the Ecumenical Patriarchate will make the KP officially “canonical”. When that happens, the MP has threatened to break ties with the Ecumenical Patriarchate under whose jurisdiction it theoretically falls. If that becomes the case, it will itself lose its “canonicity”.
What is the poor bewildered MP parishioner to do?
There is also the question of what happens to the Ukrainian Orthodox churches in the West, including those of the U.S. and Canada. They currently fall directly under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Once the Tomos is granted, will they be transferred to the KP, or will they stay under Constantinople?
Sadly, what most of the ordinary faithful don’t realize, is that this whole issue of canonicity has really very little to do with the religious or spiritual teachings of Christianity, be it Orthodox or otherwise. Canonicity was a political construct created in the wake of the split of the early church between Rome and Constantinople. It has little to do with doctrine and belief and everything to do with power, jurisdiction and control. It is in that context that the new conflicts over “canonicity” will be fought.
There is one more thing worthy of note in these events. Patriarch Bartholomew has designated Archbishop Daniel of the U.S. and Bishop Ilarion of Canada to be his Exarchs, or representatives in Ukraine to work out the arrangements for the Tomos with the Ukrainian religious and political authorities. I suspect there may be some symbolism at play here, namely that maybe the Patriarch sees the future vision and leadership of Orthodoxy as coming from the West and not from the East.
Critics, including Western diplomats in Kyiv, are blasting Lviv Oblast’s moratorium on all Russian-language books, films, and songs, which was passed by 57 of 84 regional councillors as bigoted and misguided.
According to the motion, a copy of which was published on the council’s website, the moratorium aims to “overcome the consequences of prolonged linguistic Russification” and will remain in place “until the [Russian] occupation of Ukrainian territories comes to an end.”
Canada’s ambassador to Ukraine, Roman Waschuk, who was raised as a Plastun, responded by calling it “just plain dumb.”
“The Lviv oblast ban as formulated is narrow-minded, discriminatory and #justplaindumb. And I say this as a diasporic native speaker of Ukrainian, and consistent advocate of affirmative action for cultural products in that language — but also #diversity,” he tweeted.
Judith Gough, the British ambassador to Kyiv, joined Waschuk in decrying the move, which she suggested was intolerant. “I couldn’t agree more. C’mon Lviv oblast, you’re better than this… (And I say this as a fan/student of both the Ukrainian and Russian languages) #tolerance #diversity.”
The Washington Post’s columnist Anne Applebaum, who has proven to be very incisive when it comes to commenting on Ukrainian affairs, also criticized this action. She said it was both foolish and unnecessary.
“These petty, discriminatory measures are an expression of frustration with a war that doesn’t end. They are also pointless, because a more profound, tectonic shift is already underway. Thanks to the war, and to their anger at its perpetrators, Ukrainians themselves are choosing to speak Ukrainian — more say they do every year,” she wrote in a September 23 column.
The critics are correct. For one thing, this ban is unenforceable. As Applebaum pointed out, Russian books were readily available at shops, at street stalls and at the city’s annual Book Forum last month.
That is not to say that there is no need for affirmative measures to counter the centuries of enforced Russification Ukraine had to endure under first tsarist, then Soviet oppression. But is has to be done in an intelligent way.
One of the better methods is the quota of Ukrainian-language content which has been imposed on television and radio stations. This is perfectly correct. Airwaves fall under state regulations and the state has every right to demand a certain level of local content in order, not only to preserve its language and culture, but also to provide an outlet for local talent, which can then develop and flourish. Canada too imposes such quotas on content. Both Canada and Ukraine are similar in that both neighbour on much larger countries who can dominate our cultural markets by sheer volume and size.
Another sphere where affirmative action is definitely needed is education. Last year, President Petro Poroshenko signed into law a bill passed by the Verkhovna Rada requiring Ukrainian to become the principal language of instruction after Grade 5. The language of instruction in the first four grades still may be in a minority language. By grade five, however, only two or more subjects can be taught in any of the languages of the European Union. That rules out Russian, but includes Hungarian, Polish, and Romanian. The legislation foresees a two-year transition period before fully taking effect in 2020.
What is remarkable about this law is its modesty. It is extremely generous to minorities. As former Justice Minister Serhiy Holovaty argues there is nothing in the legislation to bar minority communities from studying in their languages, or, in fact, opening their own schools – providing they fund them on their own.
Nevertheless, it is considered controversial and has been criticized by Hungary, Poland, Romania and Russia, as infringing upon the rights of their ethnic compatriots who live in Ukraine.
This is total nonsense. In just about every other country in the world, children are expected to learn the language of the country they are living in right from kindergarten. And that’s the way it should be in Ukraine. What’s more, it reeks of hypocrisy as every one of these countries has an abysmal historical record, when it comes to their treatment of Ukrainians and suppression of the Ukrainian language, Russia being the worst offender.
As far as we’re concerned, this law does not go far enough. The language of instruction should be Ukrainian right from the beginning – at least for half the day. Here we can look to Canada as a model with the bilingual programs that are in effect in the Prairie provinces and to some extent in Ontario’s Catholic schools. In Ukraine, such a program would both guarantee minority linguistic rights, and ensure that future generations become fluent in Ukrainian.
It is not at all unreasonable to expect people who choose to live in Ukraine to learn Ukrainian. If someone lives in England, they are expected to learn English. If they live in France, they are expected to learn French. If they live in Germany, they are expected to learn German. And so on. So why should Ukraine be any different?
And it is not at all unreasonable to expect the government to take affirmative action to overcome the centuries of linguistic suppression that the country suffered under various occupiers. Certainly, there are many positive measures that can be taken. But Lviv Oblast’s ban on all things Russian is not one of them. Ambassador Waschuk put it most succinctly. It’s just plain dumb.
Taras Kulish is running as a candidate for Toronto City councillor in Parkdale – High Park. He is a graduate of McGill University’s Law School and a business and charities lawyer since 1993.
As a community leader at Parkdale – High Park, Kulish strives to address many community issues:
• Transportation: “Toronto is experiencing unprecedented gridlock on the streets, parking space shortages, poor bicycle lanes and inadequate, poorly maintained transit system. As councillor, I will work with residents to manage traffic so that the Arterial traffic stays on the Arterial roads. I will work towards implementing new subway and rail capacity with the next Mayor of Toronto as a top priority.”
• Mental health & youth leadership: “Our youth need the opportunity to develop entrepreneurship and leadership skills. I will implement a Youth Action Council and a Community Youth Leadership program.”
• Leadership at City council: “Parkdale – High Park needs a proven leader with vision, compassion and a business background to give residents support from City Council.”
• Development: “Parkdale – High Park is struggling with increasing large condominium developments. Development must be managed or the character of our neighbourhood will change. We will suffer increased traffic congestion and overcrowded schools. I will work with residents and planning staff to give the residents a strong voice in what’s happening in the community.”
• Assisted housing & licensed daycare: “Supply is not keeping up with population and poverty growth. I will advocate for low income units and daycare facilities integrated into major new condo developments as a precondition for obtaining building permits.”
Kulish understands the needs of local agencies, not-for-profits and small and medium businesses. On November 23, at The Old Mill, he will be speaking at a seminar Churches, Charities and Not-For-Profits: The Law and You to help clarify the law and the requirements incumbent on charities. “This will be an interactive educational evening with lawyers and other professionals to learn about the law as it relates to charitable, non-profit organizations and their responsibilities in operating them,” said Kulish (AdvocateDaily.com).
Kulish founded the HOPE Worldwide Canada “Youth Academy” at Cooper Mills in Parkdale – High Park. This program ran from 2006 until 2011 with the assistance of MP Peggy Nash and the support of Rowan Barrett, captain of the 2000 Canadian Olympic Basketball Team. He also founded Global Sports International (hockey player recruitment and placement agency) and led the Helping Hand program to provide war trauma therapy to children in Ukraine and to Syrian refugees in Canada.
Kulish and his wife, Dr. Sandra Tsai, are homeowners in Parkdale – High Park since 2002. Their two girls are attending local high schools. Kulish is actively involved in the school parents’ councils. Favorite family activities are cross-country skiing, hiking and biking in High Park. And, of course, the pool at the Parkdale Community Recreation Center is a popular destination to go with the family.
Support Taras Kulish – put his lawn sign in front of your home.
Тарас Куліш – кандидат в Міську раду Торонто в окрузі Parkdale – High Park. Він закінчив юридичну школу McGill University і працює адвокатом у галузі бізнесу та благодійних організацій з 1993 року.
Як один з лідерів громади в Parkdale – High Park, Куліш залучений у розв’язання численних проблем громади:
• Транспортування: “Торонто потерпає від безпрецедентного завантаження вулиць, дефіциту паркувальних місць, поганих велосипедних доріжок та неадекватної транспортної системи. Як радник, я буду працювати з людьми для покращення транспорту, щоб магістральний рух залишався на головних дорогах. Я буду працювати над реалізацією нових потужностей метро та залізничного транспорту з наступним мером Торонто“.
• Психічне здоров’я та молодіжне лідерство: “Наша молодь потребує можливостей розвивати підприємницьку діяльність та лідерські навички. У Міській раді я впроваджу Раду молоді та Спілку молодіжного лідерства“.
• Лідерство в Міській раді: “Околиця Parkdale – High Park потребує перевіреного лідера з баченням, почуттям відповідальності та діловим досвідом для підтримки жителів району у Міській раді”.
• Розвиток: “Parkdale – High Park потерпає від постійного будівництва кондомініумів. Розвиток цих проектів повинен бути під контролем, інакше характер нашого району зазнає змін. Ми будемо страждати від заторів і переповнених шкіл. Я буду працювати з жителями та спеціалістами з планування, щоб дати мешканцям право голосу у тому, що відбувається в громаді“.
• Житло для малозабезпечених і дитячі садки: “Житловий фонд у нашій громаді не встигає за ростом населення і особливо ростом кількості малозабезпечних. Я буду виступати за будівництво квартир для малозабезпечених та дитячих садків, інтегрованих в проекти кондомініумів, як передумову отримання дозволів на будівництво“.
Тарас Куліш розуміє потреби місцевих та неприбуткових організацій, малого та середнього бізнесу. 23 листопада у центрі The Old Mill він виступить на семінарі “Церкви, благодійні та неприбуткові організації: Закон і Ви”, щоб допомогти прояснити закон та вимоги, що пред’являються до благодійних організацій. “Це буде інтерактивний освітній вечір з юристами та іншими фахівцями, де ви зможете дізнатись про застосування закону щодо благодійних і некомерційних організацій та їхніх обов’язків”, – сказав Тарас Куліш (AdvocateDaily.com).
Тарас Куліш заснував “Молодіжну Академію” у межах HOPE Worldwide Canada у околиці Parkdale – High Park. Ця програма тривала з 2006 по 2011 роки за підтримки депутатки провінційного парламенту Peggy Nash та капітана канадської Олімпійської баскетбольної команди 2000 року Rowan Barrett. Він також заснував Global Sports International (агенцію з працевлаштування колишніх атлетів) та очолив програму Helping Hand для надання пост-травматичної терапії дітям в Україні та сирійським біженцям у Канаді.
Тарас Куліш і його дружина, доктор Sandra Tsai, проживають в Parkdale – High Park з 2002 року. Їхні дві дочки відвідують місцеві середні школи. Тарас бере активну участь у шкільних батьківських комітетах. Їхній улюблений сімейний відпочинок – біг на лижах, походи в гори та велосипедні прогулянки у High Park. І, звичайно ж, плавання у басейні Parkdale Community Recreation Center.
Підтримайте Тараса Куліша – поставте його lawn sign коло свого будинку.
Markus de Domenico is running to be elected Ward 2 TCDSB Trustee on October 22. The following are the main points of his platform:
1. TCDSB should rapidly acquire the former high school Scarlett Heights, which has been closed, and turn it into a Central Etobicoke high school. We have massive overcrowding at the Bishop Allen Academy and overcrowding at Michael Power/St. Joseph High School, Father John Redmond school is a long hike for most people down on Kipling, while Don Bosco school is closed. We need a new Catholic high school in central Etobicoke. The Board last year tried to push a proposal to send many of the students to high schools in North York, which is totally unacceptable.
2. We need term limits for trustees – they should only run for two terms. There is way too many people taking this as a part-time job, not willing to get their hands dirty and get involved. We need fresh blood with new ideas to come into the Board. We need to make sure that trustees are very engaged in the community. I’ve been to too many schools where the school principal, believe it or not, has never met the trustee. I’ve been a Catholic parent involved in CSPCs just as a volunteer. Paid trustees should be involved in the schools’ business.
3. The Board had a proposal last year to reduce access to bussing. This is not acceptable.
4. International languages should get sustainable funding and should be integrated into the curriculum with credit. International language instructors should work with the teachers to get accredited. And IL program should be improved so that it’s even better than it is. I would also like to fix the bussing problem at some Catholic primary schools, which appeared after the IL program was shortened to four days a week and the dismissal times changed. After October 22 this issue will be a very high priority on my list.
Daniel Bartchouk for New Pathway – Ukrainian News.
The Blue Goose Tavern, located in Toronto’s Lakeshore area, became crowded as the tavern filled up with people, life-long members and new visitors alike, for the customer appreciation celebration on September 16, 2018. The Chemij family, long-time owners of the tavern, have decided to pass the keys to the next owners. The buyers will continue to carry on the spirit that the Blue Goose has built for sixty years.
I had the great pleasure to talk to Terry Chemij, and in our conversation he spoke about the history of his family, his experience with the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada, and the legacy of the Blue Goose.
Can you tell us about your family history?
My mother’s father immigrated from Ukraine when she was about ten. He got a job building the Trans-Canada Railroad for a wage of twenty-five cents a day, and then brought up the rest of his family. As a teenager, my mother started working at Tip Top Tailor’s on Lakeshore as a seamstress just before the war. She settled in the Etobicoke area and has been there ever since.
How did you get started with the Blue Goose?
My father bought this business in 1958. He had owned a grocery store before that. I guess it was always a dream of his to own a bar, so he bought the building and converted it into his own pub.
So you inherited and have been running it ever since?
Well, we ran a couple hotels as well. There used to be a race track in the east end of Toronto, and we bought that in the 80s. When I was 27, my family bought the business there – at the time called the Orchard Park Tavern – which was licensed for about a thousand thirty five people.
Wow. Does your family still own the business?
We’re in our seventies now, that’s it (*laughs*). After the race track closed down, we converted it to a hotel. Its a Days Inn now.
The Blue Goose celebrated customer appreciation day recently, can you tell me about the tavern’s history?
My brother Jerry Jr. used to run this place but he passed away twenty four years ago. Heart attack… It’s a small community. Everybody knows everybody. I have three generations drinking here. Grandfather, son, and grandson.
It’s like the movies.
(*laughs*) Exactly, it’s like Cheers. No aggravations. It’s a real, small town pub.
It’s got spirit. The Stanley Cup has been here four times. Brendan Shanahan of the Red Wings, current president of the Leafs, brought it here the first time he won it, and then Dave Bolland brought it here three other times. Shanahan’s mother actually still comes in sometimes. It’s really something special. People have met here, married here, and we’ve had people’s wakes here. We also support a lot of community endeavours.
So you’re very involved with the community then?
You have to give back. We support the people who have supported us.
Absolutely. What does the rest of your family do?
My oldest oversees traders at a firm downtown Toronto. Catherine works at Metro – she’s a floral designer. I have two twin boys, one went to Uganda as a missionary and now works for World Vision. His twin brother is an urban planner and works for a big company that has many properties focusing on upgrades.
Definitely opposite sides of the spectrum there. It’s interesting that they’re twins too, they couldn’t be more different.
One twin went to Uganda and the other went to Kuwait, one of the poorest countries in the world and one of the richest countries in the world, where Starbucks cost more than gas (*laughs*). My oldest son wanted to run the business, he changed his mind – that’s when I decided to sell.
It is my understanding you have been supporters of the UNF for quite some time.
My whole family. When I was about eight or nine, I started out at the UNF college in Spadina, my parents were members there. I would go to dancing lessons on Saturday mornings. I was a camper and then counsellor at the UNF’s Camp Sokil, up north in Hawkestone, Ontario.
Thank you so much for chatting with me today.
My pleasure, take care.
It’s more a thank you than a goodbye. Maintaining the Blue Goose and building a community around the tavern has been no easy feat for the Chemij family, but the Chemijs are confident its time the torch be passed on to someone else to carry its legacy.
Daniel Bartchouk is this year’s winner of Ukrainian Credit Union’s New Pathway Journalism Scholarship
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Розробка одного з найбільш суперечливих в новітній історії України інфраструктурних починань, проекту Канівської Гідроакумулюючої електростанції (ГАЕС), була розпочата ще у середині 80-х років ХХ століття. За час, який сплинув, проект був розроблений і були проведені підготовчі роботи – на Трахтемирівському півострові у Канівському районі Черкаської області було викопане нижнє водосховище, знятий родючий шар землі на місці верхнього водосховища, прокладені дороги та елементи ліній електропередач, зведена їдальня для робітників. Зараз більша частина інфраструктури вже зруйнувалася, а нижня водойма ГАЕС була підтоплена підземними водами та перетворилася на озеро.
Однак, починаючи з середини 2000-х років, проект Канівської ГАЕС знов почав розроблятись, а ПАТ «Укргідроенерго» звернулося до міжнародних банків і фінансових організацій за фінансуванням для проекту. «Укргідроенерго» вважає, що введення ГАЕС у експлуатацію потрібне для балансування денних і нічних коливань у споживанні електроенергії, регулювання навантаження в Об’єднаній енергосистемі України, тощо.
Але проти проекту Канівської ГАЕС виступає досить чисельна група активістів, які вказують на велику кількість геологічних, екологічних та соціально-культурних ризиків, які, як вони вважають, «Укргідроенерго» не бере до уваги.
Видання Новий Шлях – Українські Вісті взяло інтерв’ю у Юрія Янюка, одного з адміністраторів фейсбук-групи “Бучак – зупинимо катастрофу” (Бучак – село на Трахтемирівському півострові, на території якого розташований проект Канівської ГАЕС і яке, завдяки мальовничості місцини, послужило знімальним майданчиком для фільмів Олександра Довженка, Юрія Іллєнка, Андрія Тарковського та багатьох інших режисерів). Юрій Янюк народився в цій місцевості, його батьки проживають там і досі.
НШ-УВ: Розкажіть про історію проекту Канівської ГАЕС.
Юрій Янюк: Цей проект був зупинений у 1986 р. після Чорнобильської аварії, коли відмовились від побудови Чигиринської АЕС. Канівська ГАЕС була покликана балансувати саме Чигиринську АЕС – вночі закачувати воду в верхній резервуар, а в пікові моменти, вранці і ввечері, спускати воду і вирівнювати напругу в мережі. І виникає питання – а що ж балансувати зараз в цих лісах? Канів не є великим споживачем електроенергії, великих промислових підприємств поруч немає, Канівська ГЕС виконує таку саму балансуючу функцію. Проект був піднятий з архівних полиць у 2011 р. зацікавленими людьми в енергетичному секторі, які не провели будь-яких консультацій із населенням чи фахівцями. Були надані довідки про можливість проекту з різних міністерств, хоча зараз деякі фахівці вже відмовлюються від своїх слів, визнають, що їх змусили підписувати довідки. А зараз до цієї мотивації додалось те, що через Угоду про асоціацію з ЄС Україна повинна збільшити частку відновлюваних джерел електроенергії.
НШ-УВ: Які загрози несе цей проект?
Юрій Янюк: Я за родом своєї професійної діяльності займаюсь ризик-менеджментом і перестрахуванням, знаходжу на міжнародному ринку капітал для покриття ризиків, зокрема, великих інфраструктурних проектів. Отже я можу оцінити цей проект з усіх боків. Цей проект небезпечний, зокрема, в плані геології. Директор інституту геології НАН України академік Гожик дав висновок, що у даній місцевості, яка називається Канівські гори, залягання порід йде не горизонтальними пластами, а під гострим кутом і іноді вертикально. Внаслідок цього постійно відбуваються зсуви грунту і реалізація там великих інфраструктурних проектів неможлива.
Породи у Канівських горах – м’які, залягають під гострим кутом, часом вертикально. Фото -facebook.com/groups/trahtemyrivskiy
Я знаю про це особисто – мої баба і прабаба були переселенцями з того району, там північніше під Бучаком було поселення Едем (пан був поляк і назвав Едемом), був монастир. У 18 ст. люди одного ранку прокинулися і монастир і пів села пішли під землю внаслідок руху породи. Люди пересунулися південніше і заснували село Селище над Дніпром. Мені розказували мої родичі, які ще живі, що у 20 ст. біля гори Трюханка половина гори обвалилась до Дніпра і там були такі провалля, що глибини не було видно. Коли йдуть дощі, там постійно йдуть розмивання поверхні. Коли зробили Канівську ГЕС, вода підійшла ближче, ерозія ярів почала зростати і вода вже підбирається до сіл Григорівка, Пшеничники, Іванків, Студенець, Бобриця. Все це відбувається і без будівництва ГАЕС.
Ерозія берега на Трахтемирівському півострові. Фото -facebook.com/groups/trahtemyrivskiy
Якщо буде збудована гребля ГАЕС, через яку щодня будуть викачуватись і закачуватись мільйони кубів води, буде постійна вібрація, і порода, яка знаходиться під резервуаром, буде розхитуватись ще більше. В Америці був випадок з гідроакумулюючим проектом Taum Sauk pumped storage plant, який знаходиться в горах. Там відбувся прорив греблі, причиною чого, очевидно, була вібрація і, як наслідок, ослаблення опори резервуара, хоч там ГАЕС стоїть на стійкій, кристалічній породі. Затопило великі площі, був нанесений великий збиток. Але у тому випадку річка була проточна і вода швидко пішла за течією. Тут же – не проточна річка, а Канівське море. Тобто, якщо відбудеться прорив, вода ударить у низький лівий берег, який буде затоплений разом із багатьма селами мінімум на 20 км., що призведе до численних людських жертв. Крім того, у 12 км. знаходиться Канівська ГЕС, яка була побудована в 1967 р. і де гребля може не витримати такого удару. Отже, може змити місто Канів, це 30 тис. населення.
НШ-УВ: Як за наявності таких загроз можна взагалі говорити про подібний проект у такому місці?
Юрій Янюк: В Україні для погодження проекту, відповідно до законодавчих норм, дослідження таких можливих наслідків і моделювання такої ситуації не передбачені. Отже такі дослідження ніхто не замовляє.
НШ-УВ: Але коли будують, наприклад, міст, проводять дослідження, щоби переконатись, що він не впаде. Чому у цьому випадку держава не вимагає таких досліджень?
Юрій Янюк: Коли розробляють міст, залучаються різні організації. А Укргідроенерго являється монополістом у цьому питанні – вони самі собі замовники, проектувальники і виконавці. І відповідно вони зацікавлені в тому, щоб цей проект відбувся.
НШ-УВ: Які ще ризики у цього проекту?
Юрій Янюк: Є висновок Інституту біології АН України, що напроти Канівської ГАЕС на лівому березі є заповідна зона, Зміїні острови, де гніздяться рідкісні види птахів. Цей висновок говорить, що функціонування такої споруди несе загрозу червонокнижним рослинам і тваринам, буде згубний вплив на біогеоценози в цьому регіоні.
НШ-УВ: Тобто іронія в тому, що ця зелена енергетика насправді буде вбивати природу.
Юрій Янюк: Так. Крім того, в результаті вибуху на Чорнобильській АЕС в Дніпро пішли радіоактивні матеріали, які осіли, зокрема, в Канівському морі. Коли ГАЕС набиратиме і випускатиме воду, донні осади, які зараз прикриті мулом, будуть підніматися нагору. Ці застереження вивчала датська компанія Danish Energy Management & Esbensen на замовлення Європейського інвестиційного банку. Висновки компанії не підтвердили і не відкинули такий ризик, тому що ця компанія провела тільки консультативно-оглядовий аналіз, вони не робили замірів, не проводили буріння, аналіз донних порід. Для справжнього дослідження потрібен замовник і фінансування.
НШ-УВ: Чому ті, хто збирається фінансувати проект, не замовляють такі дослідження?
Юрій Янюк: Я зібрав матеріали про ризики і соціальний спротив проекту, і ми направили їх потенційним фінансистам проекту – ЄБРР, ЄІБ, Світовому банку і німецькому банку KfW. Я спілкувався зі Світовим Банком багато разів, банки KfW і ЄІБ сказали, що рішення не прийнято і поки що говорити немає про що. Минулого року на початку травня я був на щорічному зібранні ЄБРР і виступав перед Радою Директорів із доповіддю як представник громадськості. Вони були дуже стурбовані цими ризиками і повідомили, що до проекту, який подало Укргідроенерго, Комітет з ризиків ЄБРР написали понад 50 сторінок зауважень. Тобто проект вони вважають дуже непрорахованим і таким, що не відповідає їх внутрішній політиці і європейським директивам стосовно впливу на навколишнє середовище. Але, з іншого боку, ЄБРР зацікавлений в цьому великому проекті, тому що вони зацікавлені виділяти великі кошти для України. І якщо Укргідроенерго змінить свій проект так, щоб нівелювати ці ризики, то ЄБРР був би не проти його фінансувати.
НШ-УВ: А як можна нівелювати ці ризики? Вони ж не змінять дно Канівського моря – радіонукліди там як були, так і залишаться, геологія там теж не зміниться.
Юрій Янюк: Можливо, головне нівелювати щось не в реальності, а на папері. Але просто так цей проект проштовхнути вже не вийде. Ні Укргідроенерго, ні Уряд, ні банки не чекали такого спротиву. Ми підключили всесвітню організацію захисту тварин WWF і групу Central and Eastern Europe Bankwatch, яка контролює, щоби банки враховували інтереси громадськості і екології.
НШ-УВ: Яким може бути вплив проекту на історико-культурну спадщину цієї місцевості?
Юрій Янюк: Банки на це питання раніше не звертали увагу, але недавно до мене прийшов лист від ЄБРР, що цього року вони додають новий критерій «історико-культурна спадщина» до оцінки проектів. Територія проекту – це частина Трахтемирівського півострова, там знаходився козацький монастир, джерело Рожена криниця – пам’ятник державного значення природно-заповідного фонду України, що охороняється законом (доба Київської Русі). В районі Трахтемирова було село Зарубинці, звідки пішла Зарубинецька культура, до цього часу на території знаходять дуже багато артефактів. Тобто є автентичні місця, які збереглися в пам’яті місцевого населення і зафіксовані історичними довідками. В цій місцевості базується літній табір природничого і історичного факультетів Університету Шевченка.
НШ-УВ: Чи досягає успіху кампанія спротиву цьому проекту?
Юрій Янюк: Наш успіх у тому, що зараз вже розвінчаний міф про те, що цей проект неминучий. Укргідроенерго по телебаченню, в газетах, на зустрічах з людьми говорили про те, що фінансування уже виділене і будівництво йде повним ходом. Коли одне із ЗМІ опублікувало статтю (http://nikorupciji.org/2017/05/11/ebrr-ne-finansuvatyme-budivnytstvo-kanivskoji-haes/), спираючись на мою інформацію про зауваження ЄБРР на понад 50 сторінках, про те, що усі чотири міжнародні банки повідомили, що рішення про фінансування проекту не приймалося, це було дуже великим ударом по планах Укргідроенерго. Керівництво ЄБРР в Україні обурилося стосовно того, що це начебто інсайдерська інформація банків, і просило усіх журналістів прибирати цей матеріал з інтернет-ресурсів. Була гонитва за тим матеріалом для того, щоб його ніхто ніде не поширював. Але ми сказали, що це була офіційна подія і офіційні повідомлення банків, ніякого грифу таємно там не було.
НШ-УВ: У якому стані проект знаходиться зараз?
Юрій Янюк: Укргідроенерго проводило переговори з китайською організацією з будівництва такого типу споруд. Sinohydro Corporation Ltd – це підрядна організація і вона не може здійснювати фінансування. Правда, є ризик, що проект буде профінансований в рамках угоди про Великий китайський шлях між Україною, Китаєм і Євросоюзом, в якій є енергетична складова. Але хто цей проект буде фінансувати, чи Експортне кредитне агентство Китаю, чи якийсь китайський банк, такої інформації поки що немає. Поки що є підписаний меморандум між Міністерством енергетики і Китаєм про співпрацю, але про фінансування конкретних проектів у його рамках я поки що не знаю. Є така думка, що європейські банки, щоб не порушувати свої внутрішні директиви і директиви ЄС стосовно екології, можуть завести фінансування на якусь китайську “прокладку”, яка і профінансує цей проект в Україні. Буквально на днях стало відомо про переговори з China Power International Development Limited. А це вже серйозний виклик, оскільки ця організація є дочірньою компанією державної енергетичної інвестиційної корпорації – State Power Investment Corporation Limited.
НШ-УВ: Що треба робити, щоб цього не сталося?
Юрій Янюк: Ширше доносити до громадськості інформацію про ризики проекту. Але складність у тому, що цей проект записаний у Державну програму з розвитку енергетики і видалити його звідти буде важко.
НШ-УВ: Але ж уряд міг би прийняти якісь рішення, що унеможливлять проект, наприклад об’явити цей регіон заповідником.
Юрій Янюк: Коли у 2016 році було голосування цього проекту на засіданні Уряду, енергетики пролобіювали його і Кабінет Міністрів його схвалив, хоча Міністр екології був проти. Народні депутати Віктор Кривенко (Народний Рух України) і Мустафа Найєм (БПП) підписували запити щодо проекту, але різні міністерства давали відписки, що у 2013 році були отримані всі дозвільні документи і відповідно підстав для перегляду проекту немає. На Трахтемирівському півостріві виділений парк, були укази президентів Ющенка та Порошенка про його розширення південніше Канева аж до річки Рось. Але в зв’язку з тим, що там були землі зацікавлених високопосадовців, ці питання зупинялися на місцевому рівні і до цього часу проект Національного парку Трахтемирів так і не реалізований. Поки що добре те, що на проект ГАЕС нема фінансування. І якби ми свого часу не підняли це все на рівень міжнародних фінансових організацій, то кошти були б вже виділені і проект ГАЕС би вже реалізовувався. Тому нам потрібно доносити правду про ризики проекту до фінансових організацій і до тих самих китайців.
НШ-УВ: Тоді треба звертатись до кандидатів у президенти і депутати, щоби вони хоча б ставили це питання під час передвиборчої кампанії і обіцяли цей проект зупинити, якщо прийдуть до влади.
Юрій Янюк: На жаль, ні для народу, ні, відповідно, для політиків в Україні це питання зараз не таке важливе. Люди зараз в Україні займаються виживанням, а політики – переважно корупцією. І у найближчі роки суспільна увага до таких питань по-справжньому не дійде. На жаль навіть ЗМІ часто не висвітлюють цю тему об’єктивно. Зараз треба доносити звичайному українцеві, що саме він – носій влади, і що наше мовчання дає можливість руйнувати довкілля і по-хижацьки багатіти чиновникам усіх рівнів. Треба доносити інформацію стосовно ризиків проекту Канівської ГАЕС до населення цього району. Раніше в районі були надії на те, що проект дасть багато робочих місць. Але ініціативна група роз’яснила багатьом людям ризики проекту і той факт, що багато робочих місць для них там не створиться, бо там будуть здебільшого роботи для інших кваліфікацій. Тепер, за моїми спостереженнями, ставлення до проекту у районі переважно негативне. Але думку населення потрібно враховувати.
