Peter Goldring Honours Ukrainian Students

November 04, 2009
Ottawa – Peter Goldring, Member of Parliament for Edmonton East, spoke at the Embassy of Ukraine Wednesday night at a reception honouring the participants in the 19th annual Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program.

“I have taken part in this program for many years and 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. “Programs like the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program are important in building bridges and ties between our two nations.”

Twenty-five university students from Ukraine have been in Ottawa for a month working in different Parliamentary offices and learning about the Canadian democratic system.

Earlier in the day Mr. Goldring paid tribute to them in a statement in the House of Commons. “These young people, representing the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program, embody the highest ideals of achievement and community service,” he said. “As the young emissaries depart, we wish them well.”

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

Mr. Speaker:

I wish to recognize 25 youthful delegates from Ukraine, who have visited with us for the past eight weeks. 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 ROMAN BITS, 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!