October 28, 2022
Manitoba Government Supports XXVII Triennial Congress of Ukrainian Canadians
– – –Support for Ukraine Unwavering: Premier
The Manitoba government is providing $17,000 in support of the XXVII Triennial Congress of Ukrainian Canadians, hosted by the Manitoba Provincial Council of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Premier Heather Stefanson and Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Andrew Smith announced today.
“Manitoba is proud to support the Triennial Congress of Ukrainian Canadians in Winnipeg as they gather to advance discussion, learning and collaboration among Canada’s Ukrainian community,” said Stefanson. “The first Triennial Congress was held in Winnipeg in 1940, against the backdrop of the Second World War. In the current brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, Manitoba is there again for the Ukrainian-Canadian community.”
“We are pleased to support the Triennial Congress of Canadian Ukrainians, hosted by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Manitoba Provincial Council,” said Smith. “Our government commends the organization for its dedication to issues of interest to Ukrainian-Canadians, particularly during these challenging times for Ukraine and its courageous people.”
In addition to the formal agenda, the three-day congress will feature various plenary sessions, workshops and receptions addressing topics such as Ukrainian education, culture and community leadership.
“We are grateful to the Manitoba government for its generous support of the Triennial Congress and for the warm hospitality in hosting our delegates,” said Alexandra Chyczij, president, Ukrainian Canadian Congress. “Manitoba is one of the cradles of Ukrainian community life in Canada, the birthplace of the UCC, and we very much look forward to our congress here in Winnipeg – Diakuyemo!”
The Triennial Congress will also host two evening events including Vyshyvanka night at the Winnipeg Art Gallery in addition to the Triennial Awards Banquet. The banquet will recognize the 2022 recipients of the Shevchenko Award, the highest form of recognition granted by the Ukrainian-Canadian Congress.
“The Manitoba Provincial Council – Ukrainian Canadian Congress is grateful for the generous contribution of the Manitoba government towards our XXVII Triennial Congress,” said Joanne Lewandowsky, president, UCC-MPC “We couldn’t do it without you.”
The Russian invasion and the vile ongoing attacks on Ukrainian civilians cast a dark shadow, making this three-day congress like no other in recent memory, the premier noted.
“Manitoba’s support for Ukrainians seeking refuge and safety from this unprovoked attack has been unwavering, a testament to the spirit and generosity of all Manitobans. We have welcomed them with open arms and hearts,” said Stefanson.
“For well over a century, Ukrainians have been coming to Canada to find refuge, to create community, and to build a better life,” said Lewandowsky. "This continues to be true today, in part because of our governments’ embrace of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia's most recent invasion of Ukraine.”
Manitoba leads the country in providing a full range of settlement supports and services, and its Ukrainian Refugee Taskforce model is the national benchmark. Through its consolidated service access hub and reception and welcoming centre it co-ordinates:
- meals and intake services to determine individual and family needs;
- temporary accommodations;
- access to co-ordinated public health and health care and services, and the issuance of Manitoba health cards;
- orientation and referral services through Manitoba Start to link people to language training and workforce and employment opportunities;
- resources available through the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Manitoba Provincial Council;
- education and child-care services; and
- transition to more permanent housing.
More Ukrainians have sought refuge in Manitoba than any other province on a per capita basis. Based on federal arrival data, roughly 12 per cent have come to Manitoba. To date, through the effectiveness of the Ukrainian Refugee Taskforce and the overwhelming support of the Ukrainian-Canadian community and all Manitobans:
- over 11,600 Ukrainians have presented at the reception and welcoming centre;
- approximately 7,700 provincial health cards have been issued;
- over 5,700 reimbursement claims for the costs of the federal immigration medical examination required on entry have been processed; and
- over 360 eligible households are receiving provincial temporary assistance benefits to support housing and supplemental health care including prescription, dental and optical benefits.
The Manitoba government has also provided $800,000 in direct humanitarian aid to Ukraine and nearly 300 soft body-armour vests to assist with the war effort, added Stefanson.
For additional information on Manitoba’s response efforts and the resources available for Ukrainian refugees, visit https://manitoba4ukraine.ca.
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