Dear Constituents,

As 2004 comes to an end it will have been a very

memorable year for all Canadians. The federal election

resulted in a minority government, something we

haven’t seen for decades.

The federal and provin-

cial governments reached

a key agreement on

health care funding and

are in the process of

negotiating equalization,

while Finance Minister

Ralph Goodale delivered

an upbeat economic and

fiscal update showing a

resilient Canadian econ-

omy.

To those of you with

family members in the

Canadian Armed Forces

currently serving abroad,

I would like to extend

our thanks for your sacri-

fices on behalf of our

country. Your husbands,

wives, sons and daugh-

ters are protecting the very freedoms and values that all

Canadians hold dear and for that, thank you.

Within our community there are those less fortunate

and in need of a helping hand, a kind word, shelter or

food. Please do not forget them during this holiday

season of giving.

In this report, my activities in the riding and Ottawa

are highlighted. I am very proud that the motion I intro-

duced to send a strong message to Ukraine to ensure a

fair and open election process was passed with all-party

support. Unfortunately, the situation has since rapidly

deteriorated. My prayers go to the long suffering

people of Ukraine.

On behalf of my family, staff and our government I

would like to extend to all of you, our best wishes for

peace and hope this Holiday Season, and a prosperous,

healthy and happy New Year.

“ O U R F U T U R E B E G I N S T O D A Y“ O U R F U T U R E B E G I N S T O D A Y ””

The WrzesnewskyjThe Wrzesnewskyj ( Pronounced Vzes ( Pronounced Vzes -- név név -- ski )ski )

ReportReport

Borys Wrzesnewskyj, M.P. Etobicoke Centre

“Our future begins today.”

Constituency Office:

140 La Rose Ave., Unit 14 Etobicoke, ON M9P 3B2

(416) 249-7322 tel. (416) 249-6117 fax

E-mail: wrzesb1@parl.gc.ca

Ottawa Office:

Room 555D, Centre Block House of Commons

Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 (613) 947-5000 tel. (613) 947-4276 fax

E-mail: wrzesb@parl.gc.ca

Borys joining Donna Canesfield, M.P.P. and Councillor Doug Ford, and the students, teachers and parents at the solemn blessing ceremony at All Saints Catholic School on September 17, 2004.

SEASONS GREETINGSSEASONS GREETINGS

A Remembrance Day A Remembrance Day

Message from BorysMessage from Borys

A day to remember those who paid

the ultimate sacrifice. We’ll never

know them, nor their children and

grandchildren that might have been.

What we do know is that in giving

their lives, they gifted us and future

generations with peace and

consequent prosperity. While we may

not remember their names, “In

Flanders Fields the poppies grow…”

“OUR FUTURE BEGINS TODAY”“OUR FUTURE BEGINS TODAY”

With my “helpers” during the flag raising ceremony at Dixon Grove Junior Middle School on October 8th.

Lest We Forget: Remembrance Day 2004Lest We Forget: Remembrance Day 2004

Paying respect to Canada’s fallen heroes with our veterans at a Remem-brance Day ceremony in Etobicoke on November 6th. Canada’s soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom and democracy we enjoy today.

Here to Serve YouHere to Serve You

The Wrzesnewskyj ReportThe Wrzesnewskyj Report December 2004December 2004

Local Events: Connecting with the CommunityLocal Events: Connecting with the Community

Is the Canadian flag flying at your school torn and worn?

Could your school use a new Canadian flag?

If the answer is yes, my office would be pleased to arrange a flag raising cere-mony.

I enjoy meeting with our children and will personally attend and have a question and answer session about our flag and Canada for the kids.

Please call my office at (416) 249-7322.

School Flag Raising:School Flag Raising: Encouraging Pride in CanadaEncouraging Pride in Canada

Mr. Borys Wrzesnewskyj (Etobicoke Centre, Lib.): Mr.

Speaker, this week the Etobicoke Rotary Club was recognized by

the Trillium Health Centre for its 50 years of continuous support of

the hospital.

The Etobicoke Rotary Club was established in 1930 and has

accomplished an exemplary amount of community service,

including raising $1 million in the last 15 years for various

charitable causes that are essential to the fabric of our community.

To mark this important event and in keeping with the Club’s

commitment to the Trillium Health Centre, Rotary Club president

Sue Foley presented a $50,000 cheque for the new Kingsway

Financial Spine Institute which will open in January 2005.

I would like to commend the Etobicoke Rotary Club and its

membership for its vision and longstanding commitment to the

community. I join all members of the House in congratulating the

Club on its 75 years of active and exceptional community service.

House of Commons Debates (Hansard) 1st Session, 38th Parliament

October 26, 2004

Sitting in (not really playing) with Ms Natalia Leshchyshyn’s music class at All Saints Catholic School on September 17th.

Encouraging our future soccer stars during a local street festival.

Borys greeting our Veterans at a Remembrance Day ceremony in Etobiocke on November 6th. Etobicoke Rotary Club’s Golden JubileeEtobicoke Rotary Club’s Golden Jubilee

Sharing with constituents in the fellowship of a Ramadan Dinner hosted by the International Muslim Organization on October 31, 2004.

Etobicoke’s Urban Family Outreach Receives FundinEtobicoke’s Urban Family Outreach Receives Fundingg

On September 21, 2004 Etobicoke’s Urban

Family Outreach received $50,000 in funding

under the federal government’s National Crime

Prevention Strategy.

Through the project “Fresh Future,” Urban

Family Outreach will combine recreational

opportunities, academic

support and tutoring,

mentoring, and

workshops focused on

reducing youth

criminality that will

benefit the community

and positively affect all

those who live here.

This project is about

tackling issues before

they become problems,

or worse, tragedies.

To be successful, our

justice system must do

more to prevent the

root causes of crime.

Our strategy must be

about dealing with

factors like illiteracy, poverty, homelessness,

and violence at home which can lead

children, young people, and adults toward

criminal activity in the first place. The costs

to society are too high.

Attending the the National Crime Prevention Strategy announcement in Toronto with federal Human Resources Minister Joe Volpe and provincial Community Safety Minister Monte Kwinter on September 21, 2004.

Federal and Provincial Ministers responsible for

Social Services met recently and agreed on

shared principles to guide the development of a

new national system of early learning and child

care.

The groundwork they have laid for a nation-

wide initiative will become a

pillar of Canada’s social foun-

dations. Ministers agreed to

establish a long-term shared

vision that would include

measurable goals, shared

principles, strong accountabil-

ity, and provincial flexibility.

The agreed-upon principles

include quality, universally

inclusive, accessible, and de-

velopmental.

In the words of Social De-

velopment Minister Ken Dry-

den: “This has been an his-

toric meeting...This is a long-

term effort, but we have a

solid history of collaborative

action, based on a shared

commitment to improve op-

portunities for children and

families. Canadians want and expect us to work

together, and that is what we have done. Early

learning and child care is recognized throughout

Canada as an essential support for parents and

young children.”

Federal and Povincial Ministers also reviewed

progress on the National Child Benefit with Min-

ister Dryden concluding that the results show

“...that the National Child Benefit is achieving a

number of positive impacts for low-income fami-

lies and their children.” This initiative is a con-

crete example of how different levels of govern-

ment can work together to make progress on joint

priorities.

National Page: Reflecting Our Community’s Views in Ottawa

December 2004December 2004 The Wrzesnewskyj ReportThe Wrzesnewskyj Report

The Government of Canada has declared 2005 as the

“Year of the Veteran.”

Throughout the year, special ceremonies and events

will take place across Canada and overseas to pay tribute

to all Veterans and recognize the 60th anniversary of the

end of the Second World War. Expected events will

include:

▪ recognizing Second World War Veterans at Victory

Europe Day in May, and in August to mark Victory in

the Pacific;

▪ opening the new Canadian War Museum with

veterans as guests of honour;

▪ unveiling the Seventh Book of Remembrance at

Parliament Hill to commemorate Canadian Forces

members killed in service since the Korean war;

▪ continuing restoration work at the Vimy Memorial in

France; and

▪ helping veterans share their stories with youth.

Veterans

and veterans

organizations

are already

involved in

the planning

for the Year of

the Veteran.

An official

launch of the

Year of the

Veteran in

January will

outline even

more events

and

ceremonies.

Please

watch the

Veterans

Affairs web

site for

information

on upcoming

events:

www.vac-acc.gc.ca.

Developing a National Early Learning and Child Care SystemDeveloping a National Early Learning and Child Care System

The International ArenaThe International Arena Since my university days I have been keenly

interested in the promotion of civil and human rights.

While participating in meetings of the National Defence

and Foreign Affairs Caucus, these important issues have

been raised in the context of the Darfur region of Sudan;

the Carribean country of Haiti; Canadian forces

assisting in bringing security and stability to

Afghanistan; and the potential dangers to Ukraine’s

democractic development as a result of a worrisome

trend of escalating intimidation and violence against

opposition candidates during that country’s presidential

election campaign.

In response to ongoing reports of political dirty tricks

and violence in Ukraine’s presidential election, I

introduced a Motion (M-156, Ukrainian Elections) on

October 12th urging the Canadian Government to send

a strong message to the Ukrainian government to clean

up its act.

Following intense lobbying of opposition House

Leaders and Foreign Affairs Critics, and following

meetings with Government House Leader Tony Valeri

and Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew, my

Motion received unanimous support and passed in the

House of Commons on October 26th.

* * *

Mr. Borys Wrzesnewskyj (Etobicoke Centre,

Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Having

held consultations with all the parties, if you were to

seek it, I believe that you would find unanimous consent

for the following motion. I move:

That, in the opinion of this House, the government

should impress upon the Government of Ukraine to

ensure a fully transparent election process by: (a)

providing free access for Ukrainian and international

election observers, multiparty representation on all

election commissions, unimpeded access by all parties

and candidates to the media, freedom of candidates

and media from intimidation and/or harassment, and

a transparent process for complaint and appeals

through electoral commissions and the courts; (b)

guaranteeing election monitors from the Office of the

Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, other

participating States of the Organization for Security

and Cooperation in Europe, Ukrainian political

parties, candidates' representatives, non-governmental

organizations, and other private institutions and

organizations, both foreign and domestic; and (c)

providing unobstructed access to all aspects of the

election process for the Ukrainian presidential election

of October 31, 2004 and a potential second round

election on November 21, 2004.

I would therefore ask for the unanimous consent of the

House to adopt Motion No. 156 standing in my name.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Marcel Proulx): Does the

hon. member have the unanimous consent of the House

to move the motion?

Some hon. members: Agreed.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Marcel Proulx): The

House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the

pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

Some hon. members? Agreed.

(Motion agreed to)

House of Commons Debates (Hansard) October 26, 2004 - 1st Session, 38th Parliament

2005 The Year of the Veteran2005 The Year of the Veteran

Borys with our proud Veterans at the Remembrance Day ceremony in Etobiocke on November 6th.

Borys introducing his Private Member’s Mo-tion (M-156) in the House of Commons on October 26, 2004. The Motion urged the fed-eral government to send a strong message to the Government of Ukraine to clean up its act and ensure a fair and democratic election.

Pictured recently with Social Development Minister Ken Dryden and several members of our community during the Minister’s visit to Etobiocke.

The International Arena The International Arena -- Emergency DebateEmergency Debate

The Wrzesnewskyj Report December 2004

Showing support and solidarity for democracy in Ukraine at a Toronto candle light vigil with former Prime Minister, the Right Honourable John Turner, November 23, 2004.

The Speaker: I wish to advise the House that I

have received notice of an

application for an emergency

debate from the hon. member

for Etobicoke Centre.

Mr. Borys Wrzesnewskyj

(Etobicoke Centre, Lib.):

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to

Standing Order 52, I ask

leave to propose the

adjournment of the House

for the purpose of

discussing a specific and

important matter requiring

urgent consideration,

namely the rapidly

deteriorating situation in

Ukraine as a result of an

attempt at coup d’etat by

the present administration and its impact on our

domestic and foreign policies.

House of Commons Debates (Hansard)

November 24, 2004, 1st Session - 38th Parliament

In response to the concerted and systematic fraud perpetrated

against the will of the

Ukrainian people during the

recent presidential election in

that country, and the hun-

dreds of thousands of

Ukrainians who took to the

streets in defence of their

democratic rights, it was

essential that the House of

Commons turn up the heat

on the corrupt regime that

has brought Ukraine to the

brink. To that end, I spear-

headed in Canada’s House

of Commons the unani-

mously accepted Motion of

October 26th, the emergency

debate that took place in our

nation’s highest legislative body on November 24th, and the

unanimously accepted Motion of November 25th.

Addressing the Toronto rally in support of the students in the streets of Ukraine on November 23th, an hour after flying in from Kyiv.

Emergency Debate on UkraineEmergency Debate on Ukraine

“Last night I came back from Ukraine, having observed the

second round of presidential elections. I have to admit that prior

to leaving for Ukraine, I was naively optimistic. I was optimistic

because, between the two rounds of elections, I had travelled to

Ukraine as part of a parliamentary delegation.

The world condemnation after the first round of fraudulent

elections, coupled with the vote results, ended with the people

choosing the opposition leader, Victor Yushchenko. I believed

that the existing regime would have understood that its time was

up.

As I said, I was naively optimistic. What I saw in the second

round was exponentially worse than what took place in the first

round. There are hundreds of documented cases of electoral

fraud, abuse and intimidation. I would like to categorize what

we saw into six broad areas: ▪ intimidation and bribery; ▪ falsification of lists; ▪ falsification of ballot boxes and ballots; ▪ deprivation of the rights of observers; ▪ lack of a free press; and ▪ outside interference by Russia and its President. (…)

Since Ukraine’s independence 14 years ago, we have talked

about a special relationship between our two countries.

Sometimes people misunderstand that term. They think it is

based on economics. If we take a look at the economic figures,

we quickly realize that it is not based on this. What it is based on

is the hundreds of thousands of family ties between our two

countries. There are 1.1 million Ukrainian Canadians in Canada.

Tonight and in the coming days we have to give meaning to

those words “special relationship”. We have to make it clear that

we do not accept this coup d’etat. (…)

Prime Minister Yanukovych, President Kuchma, their

cronies and their families should face economic and individual

sanctions. They should be prevented from travelling the

countries of the free world. We should also send a message to

Russian President Putin, who directly involved himself in this

election campaign and continues to meddle at this very

dangerous point in time.

I would like to express, on behalf of the people of Canada,

that tonight and in the days to come we will stand by the people

of Ukraine, just as when we were the first country in the western

world to acknowledge Ukraine’s independence in 1991. In the

coming days we will take a lead among the circle of democratic

nations in the world.

Finally, our prayers are with the people of Ukraine as they

stand on the cold, dark streets of Kyiv and all the cities where

the people have come out to protest. Our prayers are with them

during this orange uprising.” House of Commons Debates (Hansard)

1st Session, 38th Parliament - November 24, 2004

UKRAINE ON THE BRINKUKRAINE ON THE BRINK

Borys Wrzesnewskyj, M.P.Borys Wrzesnewskyj, M.P.

New Year’s LeveeNew Year’s Levee

Mr. Borys Wrzesnewskyj (Etobicoke Centre, Lib.):

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. There have been

consultations with all parties and if you seek it I believe

you would find unanimous consent of the House to put

the following motion forward. I move:

That, in the opinion of this House and based on the

observations of several thousand international

observers, including observers from the Organization

for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the European

Union, the Council of Europe, the European

Parliament, NATO, and the United States, as well as

the observations of approximately 100 Canadian

observers and two Canadian Parliamentary

delegations; a concerted, systemic and massive fraud

has been committed by the current regime and the

Central Electoral Commission of Ukraine against the

will of the people of Ukraine;

That, based on the above mentioned observations, the

electoral commission does not have a legitimate basis

for declaring Mr. Yanukovych the winner of the

presidential election;

That, in the event that President Kuchma and the

Government of Ukraine do not ensure that the

democratic will of the Ukrainian people is respected, the

Government of Canada shall consider the introduction

of appropriate and effective measures, mindful of the

impact on the people of Ukraine and will seek the

cooperation on such measures with the international

community.

The Deputy Speaker: Does the member have the

consent of the House to present the motion?

Some hon. members: Agreed.

The Deputy Speaker: The House has heard the terms

of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the

motion?

Some hon. members: Agreed.

(Motion agreed to) House of Commons Debates

Nov. 25, 2004

Borys Wrzesnewskyj, M.P.

Etobicoke Centre

Cordially invites you and your

family to attend his

2005 New Year’s Levee

Sunday, January 9, 2005

11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Montgomery’s Inn

4709 Dundas St. W.

Etobicoke, ON M9A 1A8 (corner of Dundas St. W. & Islington)

Cookies and cider will be served!

For more information call (416) 249-7322.

Unanimous Motion on theUnanimous Motion on the

Ukrainian ElectionUkrainian Election

Addressing a rally on Parliament Hill on November 25th with fellow parliamentarians just before introducing my Motion on the Ukrainian election, which received unanimous support from all parties. In front of the Peace Tower with Senators David Smith and Jerry Grafstein, former NDP leader Alexa McDonough, and various members of the Liberal and Conservative caucuses.