Alberta Passes Ukrainian-Canadian Heritage Day Act

Scott Cyr’s Message: November 14th, 2016

On November 2, 2016, the fifth bill in Alberta’s history to pass unanimously through the house in one day – Alberta’s Ukrainian-Canadian Heritage Day Act was passed.  This act recognizes the contributions of Ukrainian heritage to Alberta.

Ukrainian heritage is known for early cultural, economic, political and educational contributions. In the act, Ukrainian-Albertans are being recognized for:

— bringing their wheat grains with them from Ukraine and developing the “Red Fife Wheat” that is grown throughout Alberta,

— contributing to Alberta’s rich cultural heritage through the arts, including choral and instrumental music, folkloric and performing dance, fine art, fibre art, literature, architecture, libraries, museums and archival collections and cuisine, and

— helping to build our roads, railways and infrastructure in Alberta’s national parks;

Starting in 2017, Sept. 7 of each year shall be known as “Alberta’s Ukrainian-Canadian Heritage Day.” The date was chosen to honour the first officially recorded Ukrainian immigrants, Ivan Pylypiw and Vasyl Eleniak, who arrived in Canada on Sept. 7, 1891.

I had the privilege to speak in the house in the third reading and here is what I had to say.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am pleased to join my colleagues and to rise to support Bill 26, Ukrainian-Canadian Heritage Day Act. Today all parties and members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta are collaborating to unanimously pass a bill which will commemorate the 125th anniversary of the first Ukrainian settlers in Alberta by dedicating September 7 of every year to these great founders of Alberta and marking 2016 and 2017 as the Year of the Ukrainian-Canadian.

The hardships and extreme challenges these settlers endured were great. Despite their struggles, they settled the land in many areas of Alberta. They came to start a new life. Their work was long, but the reward they sought was freedom. Their drive, their rich history, their determination has resulted in some Ukrainians playing a prominent role in Alberta. Former Premier Ed Stelmach is a proud Ukrainian, and of course in my riding former MLA Genia Leskiw was the first woman and the first Ukrainian to ever hold a seat.

There are countless examples of Ukrainian contributions to this province, and I think it’s wonderful that many of those will be recognized here in this Assembly today. Canada is home to the second-largest Ukrainian population in the world. It’s estimated there are 3 million Canadians of Ukrainian heritage, and Ukrainian Canadians make up almost 10 per cent of our country’s population. Today is about honouring the past and extending our gratitude to the future.

I urge all members of this Assembly to join me in passing Bill 26, Ukrainian-Canadian Heritage Day Act. Thank you.

It is encouraging to see all of Alberta’s political parties working together to recognize Ukrainian contributions to our great province.  We have a great riding in Bonnyville – Cold Lake and its Ukrainian roots played an important part in getting us where we are today.