CERMONIAL MACE PRESENTED IN OTTAWA
Ottawa – On behalf of the Government and people of Canada, House of Commons Speaker Peter Milliken received a ceremonial Ukrainian Mace, the Bulava, at a ceremony in the Speaker’s Office in the House of Commons.
Peter Goldring, Member of Parliament for Edmonton East and Vice-Chair of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Group attended the ceremony.
“Canada and Ukraine are tied by much shared history,” Mr. Goldring says. “More than a million Canadians are of Ukrainian descent and both are peoples are committed to democratic rule. This mace is a symbol of that rule of democracy and the authority or Parliament.”
Mr. Milliken said it has been his privilege to visit Ukraine and its Parliament. “I am honoured indeed” to receive this, he said. “It is excellent to have something like this to adorn the Speaker’s office.”
He also noted that 2011 is the 120th anniversary of the first Ukrainian settlement in Canada. “I’m sure that will be cause for celebration as well.”
The Bulava was presented to Speaker Milliken by Irene Wolanskyj of the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Association of Ottawa (UCPBA).
His Excellency Ihor Ostash, Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada, was also present for the event.
The Bulava is a type of mace between 50–80 cm in length. It consists of a handle and head in the shape of a sphere or octahedron. The Bulava was came into widespread use in Ukraine in the 13th century, first as a weapon and then as a symbol of authority.