Governor General visits Ukrainian centre during first visit to Manitoba

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This article was published 06/06/2023 (1145 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Governor General Mary Simon broke bread with Ukrainian newcomers during her first official visit to Manitoba Tuesday afternoon.

Simon visited the Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre as part of her two-day visit to Manitoba, where she had lunch with the centre’s staff, accepted korovai — a braided bread often used as a welcoming symbol — and spoke to a class of Ukrainians learning English, condemning the “unethical and unjustifiable” war in Ukraine.

“I can see you’re studying today to learn a new language. I know that you would prefer to be back home,” Simon said. “I’m so happy though that we have provided a safe space to be able to rebuild your lives, and hopefully one day you’ll go back to your home.”

She also spoke with Oseredok staff, including executive director Yulia Zmerzla, about the hurdles they’ve faced in accepting thousands of Ukrainians into the province.

“We also explained that there is a challenge for many newcomers to Canada, Ukrainian newcomers, when they leave the war. They don’t speak English, and this is the biggest challenge for them, because they have a problem of finding a job and settling down here in Canada,” Zmerzla said. “There are some English-language courses that government offers, but the demand is way over the offer.”

Zmerzla said Oseredok’s own English-language class has a capacity of 40 students and more than 550 people are on its waiting list.

“Now, they are aware of this challenge, because I’m not sure how much the government knows, that’s why we told everything,” she said. “There were no promises or anything, but the Governor General said that they will support the refugees and the Ukrainians who come here.”

Having Simon’s first visit to Manitoba since becoming Governor General in 2021 include a stop at Oseredok, Zmerzla said, was “meaningful.”

“It shows Oseredok as a symbol, as a part of the Ukrainian community, that we are important in Canada, and it really shows the support of Canada and Canadian government,” she said.

Simon’s speech to students echoed that sentiment.

“Canada takes every opportunity to support Ukraine and we need to support all of you, not only in your education but also adjusting to Canada,” she said.

The cultural centre was Simon’s last stop Tuesday. She and her husband met with Canadian Armed Forces members at 17 Wing and Willow Place Women’s Shelter earlier in the day.

She will be formally welcomed by Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville and Premier Heather Stefanson on the Government House grounds Wednesday morning.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca