Community Welcomes Redress Initiative

Calgary/Toronto (12/7/04) — The Ukrainian Canadian community welcomed the introduction before the House of Commons of MP (Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette) Inky Mark's Bill C 331 - The Ukrainian Canadian Restitution Act.

Commenting for the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Borys Sydoruk, said:

"The Conservative Party of Canada, the New Democratic Party, and the Bloc Quebecois have all previously confirmed their support for this initiative. As well, we have been very pleased to see that many MPs on the government side of the House have also realized that the time has come for an honourable resolution of our community's long-standing calls for recognition, restitution and reconciliation. We therefore anticipate that this bill will be passed by Parliament and, subsequently, by the Senate of Canada. That would be particularly welcome now, while the last known survivor of Canada's first national internment operations, Mary Manko Haskett, remains alive to bear witness to the righting of a historic injustice, and at a time when the world's attention is focused on the struggle for liberty in Ukraine. At times such as these we are all reminded of the need for remaining vigilant in defence of human rights and civil liberties."

For more information on Canada's first national internment operations or to download Bill C 331 go to www.uccla.ca

Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association
UCCLA National Office
Suite 277, 3044 Bloor Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M8X 2Y8
Web: www.uccla.ca E-mail: info@uccla.ca