Peter Goldring Honours Ukrainian Students

November 03, 2010

Ottawa – Peter Goldring, Member of Parliament for Edmonton East, paid tribute in the House of Commons today to the student participants in the 20th annual Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program.

“I have never failed to be impressed by the energy, the enthusiasm and the quality of the young men and women who are taking part. With emerging leaders such as these students, I know the future will be better for Ukraine,” Mr. Goldring said. “For twenty years the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program has been important in building bridges and ties between our two nations.”

Twenty-three university students from Ukraine have been in Ottawa since mid-September working in different Parliamentary offices and learning about the Canadian democratic system.

In his tribute Mr. Goldring said “these young people, representing the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program, embody the highest ideals of achievement and community service.”

The full text of Mr. Goldring’s statement is as follows:

 

CANADA-UKRAINE PARLIAMENTARY PROGRAM

 

Mr. Speaker,

I wish to recognize 23 youthful delegates from Ukraine, who have visited with us for the past two months. They are here, in Members’ offices, to gain valuable perspectives of Canada’s most important democratic institution: the PARLIAMENT OF CANADA.

These young people, representing the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program, embody the highest ideals of achievement and community service. They are the future leaders of Ukraine.

Young people, like Solomiya Borshosh, from my office.

Canada and Ukraine are inextricably linked forever by prior migration. Fully 1 in 30 Canadians are of Ukrainian descent, as are my wife, daughters and granddaughters.

Ukraine holds a special place in the hearts of Canadians. Canada was the first country in the western world to accord diplomatic recognition in 1991 to an independent Ukraine.

As the young emissaries depart, we wish them well and say to them:

Многая літа! (Mino-hoy-ya-leeta)