UCC thanks Senator Kutcher for leadership as Canadian senate advances Ukrainian Heritage Month bill

The Canadian Senate has approved a bill that designates September as Ukrainian Heritage Month nationwide. The legislation now proceeds to the House of Commons, where it will undergo committee review and three readings.

The initiative was introduced by Senator Stan Kutcher, himself of Ukrainian descent and who is a member of Canada’s upper parliamentary chamber. 

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) expressed sincere gratitude to Kutcher for advancing the legislation. Previously, the UCC had called on Parliament to pass the measure.

The bill notes that more than 1.3 million Ukrainians currently live in Canada, and the first documented arrival of Ukrainians in the country occurred in September more than 125 years ago.

“Parliament recognizes the significant contributions that Ukrainian-Canadians have made and continue to make to Canada’s social, economic, political and cultural fabric, including artistic, linguistic, culinary, religious and folkloric contributions,” the bill states.

The text also says that designating September as Ukrainian Heritage Month will provide an opportunity to remember, celebrate, and educate future generations about the influential role Ukrainian Canadians have played, and continue to play, across communities nationwide.

For several years, September has already been officially recognized as Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Month in several Canadian provinces. Once the bill is fully passed, this recognition will extend across all of Canada.