CUPP Newsletter Spring 1997

PROGRAMME PARLEMENTAIRE CANADA-LKRAINE PARUAMENTARY PROGRAM ISSUE 3, JULY 1997

TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT, WHAT YOU REALLY REALLY WANT...

Participation in CUPP allows us to meet in a peaceful way since 1991. Nations of the Canadian students, members of Parliament, world have accepted the fact that Ukraine is now members of tfie Provincial Parliament, an independent state, and that it stands for candidates in tfie elections and ordinary democracy. It is striving to bring in reforms in its Canadians. During tfiose meetings, people often economic and social life. There is an amazing ask questions such as "How do you like opportunity for us students to take part in this Canada?" and "Would you like to live in process. There is huge potential for development Canada?" and I believe that someday Ukraine will be as good a country to live in as Canada or any other Canada is an amazing country. It has wonderful Western state. So the answer is that yes, I love people, beautiful scenery and a rich economy. Canada and I am returning home to do as much This is not just my opinion but is the opinion of as I can in order to make true my prediction that the United Nations which has considered Canada someday soon Ukraine will be as good a country to be the best country in the world to live in, for as Canada to live in and we'll both be No. 1. the fourth year in a row. But I love Ukraine. I like its people and its traditions. I like the mountains in the west, the Natalie Mylenko forests in the north, the steppes in the east and Zaporizhia Technical University the seas in the south. Of course we have Management 4th Year problems at the present time. It takes time to My MPP: Mario Sergio change a society. It is impossible to rebuild a My Team: Arctic state in five years. Yet we have achieved a lot,

CUPP students with the Mayor of Toronto Ms. Barbara Hall CANADA-UKRAINE PARUAMENTARY PROGRAM PAGE 2 LET THE FUTURE BEGIN

This optimistic statement are highlighted by its questions asked of him by was the motto for all PC opponents. The governing Canadians, along the bus candidates during the last party defends itself in order tour. At the conclusion of federal election. I was a to hold on to power and asks his speeches, we cheered keen observer of the PC the voters for understanding loudly for the PC leader in campaign in Ottawa West and a bit more time to fulfil its order to boost his image as Nepean and adopted the mandate. Election time is a rising star on the political also a time of interesting stage. motto for myself as well. events and meetings This opportunity to observe The bus tour was only one of organized by each of the the 1997 federal elections the experiences during the parties. I had an opportunity was a unique privilege for election campaign. I was to participate in one such CUPP students. also able to observe and event with the PC Leader, participate in the campaign Election campaigns are a Jean Charest. I joined the of Ottawa-West PC time of passionate PC bus campaign and candidate Margret Kopala. speeches, partisan crisscrossed a good part of During this campaign, confrontations, endless Ontario with other students observing the telephone arguments and inflammatory from many Canadian canvas, the lawn sign statements. During the universities. Jean Charest, campaign, the distribution of campaign, the governing the youngest leader in this campaign literature, I party is bombarded with campaign, spoke realized that campaigning in accusations, allegations of passionately about Canadian a multicultural riding is hard wrong-doing and its failures unity and responded to all work. The task of CAiSlAOArUKRAINtE PARLIAMENTARY PROGRAM PAGE 3

campaigning becomes dislike of Brian Mulroney's the future" was not even more burdensome government. This fear convincing enough. when you are running increased when the press Hopefully, in the next against a strong incumbent reported that Jean Charest election, the PC's will be who has represented the considered that he had a able to convince Canadians riding during the past two son-to-father relationship that their platform for a elections. In spite of this, with Brian Mulroney. strong, united and Margret Kopala's prosperous Canada is the The PC's are the party ttiat campaign workers worked one that the country needs, Ontarians have been voting unselfishly and almost till and which in fact will let the in provincial elections for exhaustion day and night future begin. This slogan much of this century. With until election day. may be the appropriate one this reality, unfortunately the in the year 2001 when, in The outcome of the June success of the PC's in the new millennium, the 2nd election was Atlantic Canada and Jean future can really begin. unpredictable as many Charest's popularity in people remained Quebec were not enough to undecided until voting day. produce a Tory victory in Tetyana Skvortsova Concerned about Ontario. I believe that the Luhansk Pedagogical important issues such as PC's must re-think their ties Institute unemployment, tax cuts with the Mulroney 4th Year Student of and health care, most government and work on Ukrainian and English voters went though erasing some negative My MPP: David Turn bull process of reflection and stereotypes. It appears that My Team: St. Laurent assessment about which the PC's offer of "hope for party will best carry out its promises. Although the PC's addressed all of the important issues in their campaign program, they faced several challenges during the campaign. The most important one was the ghost of the last PC government, that of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, which haunted the PC candidates in this election. No matter how inviting and sincere Jean Charest's promises were, they could not placate some people's fears and Team Ctiarest CANADA-UKRAINE PARLIAMENTARY PROGRAM PAGE 4 STANDING UP FOR YOU, OR WHAT CANADIAN ELECTIONS ARE ALL ABOUT

As a microcosm of Canada, Kings Road, I could feel the Standing up for you, the title for the federal riding of Pickering- electricity in the air, the this article, is the motto of Dan Ajax-Uxbridge in the Greater operation of the campaign McTeague's, of which he is Toronto Area became an machine and the everyday proud. At one time, Dan went interesting political battle activities of candidate Dan against his own party, ground leading up to the June McTeague or Dan as we defending the interests of his 2nd election. Sitting MP Dan called him. His enthusiasm constituents. He voluntarily McTeague faced a strong and rich humour cheered gave up his pension and challenge from the PC and everyone up in the campaign, introduced a number of private Reform candidates in his bid even at moments when members' bills, two of which for re-election. As a student of everyone was completely became law. law, I would suggest that the tired. Accompanied by his The campaign was very election process is the corner• assistants and volunteers, competitive with sign wars, stone of democracy, and in Glen Bradbury, Luch Durante, public debates, vigorous observing the canvasses and election process many other one can judge the activities. About level of that 40,000 people society's de• were contacted velopment as a and more than civil and demo• 15,000 doors were cratic country. And knocked on during I can say that all in the personal all, what I canvass. A very observed was a interesting real democracy in moment in the action. The campaign was the chance to observe visit to the riding of or take part in a PC Leader, Jean campaign, is equal Charest. It was to years of interesting to studying the observe the electoral process reaction to the visit from books. I am by both the therefore very Liberals and happy for myself and for my Frank, Mark, Matt, Bern, Reform Parties. In order to colleagues in CUPP '97 Sindy and many other terrific describe the campaign in because we were fortunate people, Dan was running not detail, I would have to write a enough to participate in this only for re-election, but for novel and maybe one day I instructive exercise. convincing victory over his will, but for the present, what I can say is that this was an At the very beginning of the competitors. And I was very outstanding experience for campaign, upon entering the glad to be, if only for a short me. I will remember the campaign headquarters on period of time, a member of this campaign team. CANADA-UKRAINE PARLIAMENTARY PROGRAM PAGE 5 campaign for a very long time. June 2nd turned out to be a late night and a fantastic victory party. Dan McTeague and many, many of his friends celebrated Dan's victory in the election where he received 53% of all votes. At present, I am working in the offices of my MP Dan McTeague in the House of Commons. This is the continuation of my experiences of last year as a member of CUPP'96 and yet there are some new and interesting things I have learned. It was very exciting for me to meet the staff of my MP from last year, to meet some old friends and to feel something of a deja vu | L-R Dan McTeague, Boris Kormich. Mrs. & Mr. McTeague, Glen Bradbury walking through the halls of much better known in Canada gained from the CUPP parliament. Another than in Ukraine. This is the experience in Canada. And interesting event for me was result of the hard work of our so I am more and more the visit of Ukrainian Prime Program Director Ihor Bardyn convinced that the creation of Minister Pavio Lazorenko. My and his group of volunteers. an association of CUPP colleague, Roman Didenko He created the Program and Alumni is very important as it (CUPP '96) and I met our has been running it for more will help us to become a more Prime Minister at Ottawa than 7 years now and I am effective force back in Airport and attended the grateful for the opportunity Ukraine. I have heard press conference in the given to me. I applaud the discussions about this for National Press Club. initiative of this outstanding sometime, but I truly believe We had an opportunity to program which I and many of that this is the year that we will speak with the Prime Minister my colleagues consider to be do it. and to ask him questions the best kind of aid that during the press conference. Canada can give to Ukraine. Boris Kormich At these and other events in But on the other hand, there is University of Odesa, Ottawa, I met with the unfortunate fact that Faculty of Law representatives of the CUPP Alumni, after returning My MPs: Ukrainian-Canadian to Ukraine, seem to melt back Clifford Lincoln ('96) community, some of whom I into the society and have Dan McTeague ('97) met last year. Almost all now done little to preserve and know about the CUP develop the knowledge and Program. What is interesting information which they have is that the CUP Program is C4N4DA-UKRAINE PAREIAMENTARV PROGRAM PAGE 6 A WEEK OF ELECTION CAMPAIGNING IN SASKATOON

with unfavourable stories and scandals as a result of the provincial PC party's mie some years ago. During the election campaign I noticed a specific feature of voting in Canada. Many electors do not necessarily vote for the candidate, but for the party which the candidate represents. In other words, eventually the winner is not necessarily the candidate who deserves the victory in his riding but the candidate who represents the most popular party. Richard Gabruch campaigned on the principle that he was the best candidate and did not count on his party to elect him. His campaign Mohyla Institute in Saskatoon. literature was printed like a After spending almost three Shortly after our arrival at the newspaper and detailed his weeks of our CUPP internship institute, all five of us were taken to resume, family photos and a list of in Toronto and in Ottawa, I was three candidates offices. Two of us achievements in sports, education one of the lucky students who were assigned to observe the and community service. I liked this travelled westward to the campaign of the NDP Party and its idea very much because I was used province of Saskatchewan. representative Chris Axworthy. to the practice that Ukrainians back Lucky, because I had an Two others were taken to the home usually vote for candidates opportunity to see and campaign of Reform Party with extraordinary experience a different part of candidate Ehwyn Heimanson. My accomplishments and a bright Canada. It is not easy to partner, Ciriio Shevchenko from future. But then I realized that this describe my westward journey Horiivka, and I were sent to the approach was too naive for a in one sentence so here goes campaign office of a young PC campaign in which five parties were my narrative. candidate, Richard Gabmch. represented. On May 24th our group of five Since you're reviewing this Mr. Gabruch comes from a students left Ottawa for Winnipeg carefully, the extra student came Ukrainian family with a rather original on Greyhound Airlines. On arriving from Calgary, where five other surname. I had an opportunity to in Winnipeg, we switched to a students were sent earlier. observe that Ukrainians did not Greyhound bus and began a 12 It was clear from the bieginning that vanish in Canada even through hour journey overnight to many generations. There were Saskatoon. We arrived in our candidate was aware that he had an up-hill battle in this seven children in the Gabruch Saskatoon the next day and this is family, Richard being the youngest, where the next chapter of my stay campaign. This can be explained by two reasons: this was his very and it is not therefore a surprise that in Canada began. It was a truly the name Gabmch speaks to many exciting and eventful chapter. first political campaign and secondly, his party was associated electors in the Saskatoon- Our group was billeted in the Rosetown-Biggar Riding. CANADA-UKRAINE PARLIAMENTARY PROGRAM PAGE 7

My observation and participation give their brother a hand in his prairies, farms and a tme westem In the campaign was made up of campaign. spirit. Had I not visited various activities. On the first day Election day was the most exciting, Saskatchewan, I would have had a my colleague and I were busy especially when the election very limited knowledge about the dropping campaign literature. results began to come in. By 7:00 size of Canada. Next moming we spent putting up p.m. the campaign office was filled I cant help to mention my visits to signs along the roads. The next with campaign workers, friends the Ukrainian Museum and to the three days of the campaign were and relatives who came to follow Museum of Westem Development. dedicated to telephone the results of the election. As a result of the hospitality and canvassing. Each activity had a Unfortunately, the results did not helpfulness of Wendy who is the purpose and was useful and even meet the expectations which director of the Mohyla Institute, we informative. During the Richard had for third place and in had a chance to experience the campaign, we met Canadians the end he placed fourth. night life in Saskatoon. face to face, at the doors and visited the affluent and not so The election procedures in I am left with many vivid and strong affluent areas of Saskatoon. I Canada do not differ that much impressions of Westem Canada. I was surprised by the numtaer of from that in Ukraine, however dare to say that the time spent in Ukrainian sumames which I found there is one big difference, namely Saskatoon makes up the most on the voter's list as well as in the that Canadians go to sleep romantic page of my CUPP '97 telephone book. knowing the results, whereas in experience. My stay in Saskatoon Ukraine the results are not known was informative, pleasant and According to campaign strategy, for days and weeks. educational. our candidate made an effort to meet people in public places and Living in Saskatoon after several to do door-to-door canvassing as weeks in Toronto and Ottawa, I much as he could both in the city had the feeling that I had come to Halyna Pastushuk and in the countryside as well as in a Swiss resort. In Saskatoon there Ivan Franko University the rural areas. We accompanied was another lifestyle, that of a 4th Year Foreign Languages the candidate when he visited a small city with a population of My MPP: Tony Martiniuk local secondary school as well as 200,000 people with lots of green Team: St. Laurent on his visits to space, the great unpopulated churches as well as Ukrainian community centres. The most memorable day was Thursday, June 30th. Mr. Gabruch took us to a Mennonite colony. It is a visit I will not soon forget. The originality, cleanliness and orderliness of the colony impressed me greatly. On the way back from the Mennonite colony, we visited several farms.

During our week in Saskatoon I met almost all memtDers of the Gabmch family. They all pitched in to L-R: Halyna Pastushuk, Richard Gabruch, Ciriio Shevchenko CANADA-UKRAINE PARLIAMENTARY PROGRAM PAGES SOME INITIAL OBSERVATIONS

The moment our airplane landed at Toronto Airport, I began to experience another culture, very different from the European one which I left behind. Everything seemed to be big here, the cars, the buildings and electronic advertising boards. The people seemed to be conservative, possibly because of the lengthy ties with Great Britain.

In Germany or Austria or Holland, I never saw a bicycle rider with a helmet. It's something new for me to see a policewoman riding a bicycle and wearing a helmet. People are different here. But they do not seem to be as stern as in Germany or not as stylish as in Austria. The capitalist systems of Canada and Europe are somewhat different. Capitalism here is not so strict, and it has adopted some of the better aspects of socialism. The health system is free here and education is very cheap. Canadians pay taxes on every item they purchase and in return they receive social services. ethnocultural groups living together but there is no "melting pot" pressure to assimilate as in the U.S.A. But the downside of this scenario is Canadians say they have a mosaic. They are left to that in return the government takes develop their own culture if they wish to do so, yet there away a little bit of freedom from you. are no problems between ethnic groups as they seem to In Europe, it is more or less the same be united. They call themselves Canadians. as here. Canada is a beautiful country. Even in the downtown areas you see little parks and parkettes with so many Oleksandr Krainyukov squirrels that it's hard to believe that University of Kyiv-Mofiyla Academy you are in the centre of a city and not Economics in the wilderness. My MPP: Gerry Phillips My Team: Pacific What I like best about Canada is the safety and yet the diversity of the city and its citizens. There are many

How to apply to CUPP: 620 Spadina Avenue Attention: Ihor Bardyn, n CUPP Director Please write or fax for a CUPP Toronto, Ontario, Fax: (416) 234-9114 application to Chair of Canada M5S 2H4 Tel:(416) 234-9111 E-mail: iwbardyn(gsympatico.ca Ukrainian Studies Foundation V7WW. inf oukes , com