Goldring leads hill in celebrating Ukrainian heritage

OTTAWA – Edmonton East Member of Parliament Peter Goldring drew Parliament’s attention to 120 years of Ukrainian immigration to Canada in a statement in the House of Commons today.

“One hundred twenty years ago the first immigrants from Ukraine landed in Halifax,” he told the House, “having endured weeks at sea on the first leg of their epic journey, migrating to begin a new life in the Canadian Prairies.”

Mr. Goldring praised the “indomitable pioneer spirit” of those first settlers, paying special tribute to his wife’s great-grandfather, John P. Taschuk and his family, who settled in the Smoky Lake region of northern Alberta.

“The 1.2 million Canadians of Ukrainian ancestry today celebrate the legacy of those first Ukrainian pioneers and the trek that began 120 years ago,” he added.

Mr. Goldring’s statement was part of “Ukrainian Day on Parliament Hill,” which included speeches, films, educational displays, artwork and cultural performances. The event was hosted jointly by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group (of which Mr. Goldring is vice-chair) and the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada

The full text of Mr. Goldrings’s statement is below:

OTTAWA - UKRAINE IMMIGRANTS 120 YEARS AGO

Mr. Speaker:

One hundred and twenty years ago the first immigrants from Ukraine landed in Halifax, having endured weeks at sea on the first leg of their epic journey, migrating to begin a new life in the wilds of the Canadian prairies, the untamed wilderness and unbroken land then called the Northwest Territories.

With herculean effort, and indomitable pioneer spirit they persevered, cleared land, seeded crops and built their first homes from the very sod of the land they cleared. Families grew, churches were built, and communities prospered.

Today we celebrate Ukrainian Day on Parliament Hill and celebrate the heritage of those early pioneers, people of resolute determined will like my wife’s great-grandfather, John P. Taschuk, who arrived with his wife Barbara and two sons Elia and Theodosie.

The 1.2 million Canadians of Ukrainian ancestry today celebrate the legacy of those first Ukrainian pioneers and the trek that began 120 years ago.

Многая літа!