On August 24th, the Ukrainian Canadian community gathered at Queen’s Park, Toronto for a Flag Raising Ceremony in honour of Ukraine’s 20th Anniversary of Independence.
It was an event organized by the League of Ukrainian Canadians, League of Ukrainian Canadians Women, and The Ukrainian Youth Association of Canada and supported by the Consulate General of Ukraine and UCC Toronto.
SUSK National Executive Members with Olexander Danyleiko, Consul General of Ukraine
Notable and honoured guests included His Eminence Metropolitan Yurij, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada; His Grace Bishop Stefan, Ukrainian Catholic Church of Canada; Members of Parliament including Ted Opitz, Peggy Nash, Jim Karygianni; Members of Provincial Parliament: Donna Cansfiled, Norm Miller, Cheri Dinov; Olexander Danyleiko, Consul General of Ukraine; and past Members of Parliament: Borys Wrzesnewskyj and Yuri Shymko.
Community representatives included Yvan Baker, Ontario Provincial Council President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress; Olyana Grod, National President of Ukrainian Youth Association of Canada; and SUSK’s very own Deana Drozdowsky, Regional Vice President Central.
Deana Drozdowsky, SUSK Regional Vice President Central greeting the community on the 20th Anniversary of Ukraine's Independence
Deana Drozdowsky greeted the community on behalf of the Ukrainian Canadian Students’ Union, which represents Ukrainian Canadian students at post secondary institutions across Canada. Below is an excerpt from Deana’s greeting:
Congratulations to Ukraine on its 20th birthday. In the past 20 years, Ukraine has achieved much and continues to grow and prosper. We as students of Ukrainian origin are very fortunate that Ukrainian Independence was won within our generation. However, that comes with responsibility to continue to support its struggles in developing its political and economic integrity, and to not let it revert to the past. We must remain vigilant. Ukraine will never truly be free until Human Rights, respect for the law, and genuine democracy are upheld.
Honoured Guests at Queen's Park