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March 26, 2009
CBC/Radio-Canada
1400 René-Lévesque Boulevard East
P.O. Box 6000
Montréal, QC H3C 3A8
Attention: Hubert T. Lacroix, President and CEO
Dear Mr. Lacroix:
Re: Termination of RCI Ukrainian Section
The Ukrainian Canadian community is extremely disappointed to learn of your decision to permanently shutdown the Ukrainian Section of Radio Canada International (RCI) effective this week after 57 years of service to Canada. Furthermore, we understand that the Ukrainian Section is the only foreign language department to be entirely terminated. We realize that challenging economic times may call for some rationalization, however, such a dramatic decision is unconscionable.
On behalf of the Ukrainian Canadian community, I call upon your office to reconsider the decision to terminate the Ukrainian Section and in fact increase its resources to align it with the Government of Canada’s foreign policy priorities. As you may know, in February of this year, the Government of Canada announced that Ukraine will continue to be one of Canada’s top 20 strategic bilateral partner countries through the Office of the Minister of International Cooperation.
The general population of Ukraine widely listens to, relies on, and values the Ukrainian-language programming provided by RCI. It serves an important function in the development of democracy and a civil society in Ukraine and other countries in the region. As you can appreciate, it is of significant geopolitical importance to Canada and the rest of the world to see Ukraine evolve into a strong economy and democracy.
We trust that you will reconsider your decision to terminate the Ukrainian Section of RCI and find ways to increase its resources due to its strategic importance to Canada.
Yours very truly,
UKRAINIAN CANADIAN CONGRESS
Original Signed
Paul M. Grod
National President
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