The Ukrainian Weekly, 2016

INSIDE: l Rep. Bill Pascrell receives Shevchenko Freedom Award – page 8 l Ukrainian Catholic University rector is honored – page 9 l Iskra Academy and Ensemble mark 20 years of dance – centerfold THEPublished U by theKRAINIAN Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationEEKLY Vol. LXXXIV No. 45 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 $2.00 Saskatchewan hosts triennial Prime minister’s chief investment adviser, Congress of Ukrainian Canadians a Ukrainian Canadian, sees ‘the new Ukraine’ Paul Grod re-elected national president by Mark Raczkiewycz LVIV – Few people know that the hryv- Canada. Still fewer people know that Daniel Bilaknia, Ukraine’s negotiated currency, the wasdeal first in printed1991 for in Canada-based Kaskens law firm when his ancestral homeland regained independence. bigger deals in the next 12 months as the As of November 1, he’ll have to broker- ment adviser and director of the newly cre- atedUkrainian Ukraine prime Investment minister’s Promotion chief invest Office (IPO). - mer managing partner of international law firm“It’s CMS an overwhelmingCameron McKenna job,” thein Kyivnow toldfor The Ukrainian Weekly over a digital voice call from Lviv. “We could fundamentally re- brand Ukraine…So that when people Norbert K. Iwan Daniel Bilak, director of the newly created think corruption, but ‘wow, high-technolo- Members of the newly elected board of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. Ukraine Investment Promotion Office. abroad hear about Ukraine, they don’t UCC technology, they think of a modern country Not losing sight of the existing foreign thatgy, agribusiness,’ is open for business.” they think agricultural investors in Ukraine, some of whom are REGINA, Saskatchewan – The XXV • continuing and increasing the UCC’s - “quite unhappy” because of the “flexible Congress of Ukrainian Canadians conclud- support for Ukraine’s reforms process and lion during the 12-month secundment from application of the rule of law in the coun- ed here on October 2. Over 250 delegates strengthening Ukraine’s ability to defend theMr. London-based Bilak’s goal islaw to firm. raise Drawing at least $1on bilthe try,” he wants to foremost make them from coast to coast elected the Ukrainian theitself long-term against Russia’s financial war successof aggression; and sus- “apostles… to preach the virtues of Ukraine Canadian Congress board of directors and tainability• establishing of the manyan endowment important programsto ensure native Torontonian said he could “unlock to investors.” executive committee officers for the next of the UCC; intimate knowledge of his clients’ needs, the- three years. The congress re-elected Paul ing of predictability and certainty.” (Continued on page 9) Grod as national president. Alexandra and strengthening existing member organi- $100-200 million just by giving them a feel Chyczij and Andrea Kopylech were elected zations;• expanding the UCC’s membership base vice-presidents; Walter Dlugosh was elected treasurer; and Yaroslaw Borys was relationship with the Canadian government elected secretary. The first board meeting and• electedstrengthening officials; the UCC’s constructive Assets on parade: Ukraine officials was held after the conclusion of the triennial congress. establishing the UCC parliamentary intern- Sworn into office by Ukrainian World ship• increasingprogram. (This youth year, engagement he noted, overand re-40 made to declare their bling delegates at the congress represented Congress President Eugene Czolij, Mr. Grod by Christopher Miller Ukrainian Canadian youth organizations, expressed gratitude to the UCC RFE/RL cash. Asked about the disclosure, his Saskatchewan Provincial Council and its almost twice as many as at the previous trillion hrv, or about $39 billion U.S., in president, MaryAnn Trischuk; UCC Regina congress in 2013.) KYIV – Fast cars and fancy watches. a bad joke on his part.” and its president, Orest Gawdyda; and During the numerous plenary and Faberge eggs and vintage wine. Prime real spokesperson told local media simply, “It’s- Oksana Zwarych, chair of the XXV Congress breakout sessions at the XXV Congress, del- estate, including a church. Even a ticket to - Organizing Committee; the staff of the UCC egates had an opportunity to listen to space. stylesMany – ill-gotten Ukrainians or aren’tnot – laughing,have drawn howev con- Saskatchewan office and UCC National, and experts, discuss key issues of importance to Along with many millions in cold, hard er.demnation Perceived in aexcesses country inwhere lawmakers’ government life our community and develop implementa- all those involved in organizing the con- - statistics put the average household tion plans. Resolutions were passed that gress for their warm hospitality, dedication, ing from the latest effort to root out persis- will help guide the work of the UCC for the commitment and hard work in ensuring tentcash, corruption they’re just in some Ukraine. of the items emerg - next three years. monthlycized for income not doing at around more to$200. help soldiers, the resounding success of the Congress. Officials there had until midnight on Ukraine’s mega-rich have also been criti “It has been an honor for me to serve UCC 75th anniversary banquet October 30 to file online asset declarations largely relied on volunteer assistance our community as president of the UCC. I meant to expose those who got rich from On October 1, the UCC 75th anniversary whothroughout are paid the just 30-month $276 a month conflict and against have very much look forward to continuing to misconduct. Most of the 50,000 or so public banquet featured the presentation of 13 Russia-backed separatists that has killed work with all of you in this next term,” stat- servants targeted by the requirement – Shevchenko Medals, the highest honor the including civil servants, politicians and nearly 10,000 people. ed Mr. Grod. “I would like to thank the out- “[W]e collect money for socks for sol- Ukrainian Canadian community can award judges – are thought to have complied. going board of directors and executive outstanding leaders. UCC Leadership and diers, in [a] parallel world [people] have committee for their exemplary service, But as with so many things in war-torn UCC Youth Leadership Awards were also - enthusiasm and commitment to our com- presented. Kateryna Kruk tweeted. “E-decl [-arations] tions than meets the eye. mon purpose, and acknowledge the incom- Lieutenant Governor Vaughn Solomon [millions]make us realize $ in whatcash,” corruption Ukrainian really activist is.” Ukraine,For instance, there’s Serhiymore toMelnychuk, the asset adeclara former ing board and executive for taking on the Schofield of Saskatchewan joined Mr. Grod commander of the volunteer Aidar fighting responsibility of serving our community.” and the chair of the UCC Awards and agencies are now expected to investigate Mr. Grod focused on the priorities for the battalion who is now a lawmaker, thumbed Ukraine’s newly created anti-corruption next three years for the UCC, including: (Continued on page 5) his nose at the new measure, declaring 1 (Continued on page 12) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 No. 45 ANALYSIS With eye toward 2018 elections, Putin spearheads U.S. on Ukraine’s asset declarations cash and property valued at millions of dol- strategic infrastructure mega-projects in Crimea WASHINGTON – Washington has wel- Ukrainian Service) - lars across the country. (RFE/RL’s tion of their wealth as a step toward Poroshenko meets with UWC president by Ridvan Bariiev Mr. Putin used these problems to show- - comed Ukrainian officials’ public declara Eurasia Daily Monitor officials. U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Poroshenko met on November 1 in Kyiv Though still two years away, the presi- casethe Russian Russia’s president ability to oversaw withstand the challeng opening Yovanovitchincreasing citizens’ told RFE/RL confidence in an interview in elected on November 2 that the asset declaration sys- withOTTAWA Ukrainian – Ukraine’s World Congress President President Petro dential elections in Russia are already on esof thecreated last bybranch its “enemies.” of the Kuban In May “Energy 2016, Eugene Czolij. The meeting focused on joint the minds of the political elite in Moscow. Bridge” – electrical transit lines that carry tem is “an important first step” toward increasing transparency in government. She efforts dedicated primarily to furthering the The sitting head of state, President electricity across the Kerch Strain from ratification by the Netherlands of the Vladimir Putin, is constitutionally permit- Krasnodar Oblast to Crimea. During the said the declarations are necessary in order for Ukrainians to “have confidence that their European Union-Ukraine Association ted to run again in 2018. And though most ceremony, he declared, “We managed to Agreement; the imperativeness of pressur- break through the energy blockade of - expect that he will, his public vacillations ing the Russian Federation to comply with Crimea within a brief period of time, and est and that their wealth is acquired in a on the subject have raised an air of intrigue the Minsk agreements and renewing eco- we will likewise do away with any other legitimatepublic officials manner.” don’t She have added conflicts that theof interasset over the Russian political process. “I have nomic sanctions against the Russian blockade against Russia, should someone declarations are now being looked at by not yet made a decision for myself,” Mr. Federation until it fully

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