Canada has developed a business mission to support the economic recovery of Ukraine, as announced by the Minister of Foreign Trade, Export Promotion, and Economic Development of Canada, Mary Ng.

During her visit to Manitoba, Minister Ng visited the Ukrainian cultural and educational center, Oseredok, to present the updated draft of the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Ukraine.

"Now, I want to take a minute to talk about something that I'm particularly proud and passionate about. Perhaps it's because it's something that I had the opportunity to work on in my responsibility as the trade Minister, and that is the modernized Canada-Ukraine free trade agreement. It was negotiated and modernized in record time, a year. A comprehensive agreement modernized with new chapters on services and new chapters that deal with investment really sets an excellent framework. That's a high-quality, high-standard agreement. That is second to none."

"That's what Ukrainians want, and it is with this agreement that they can use to do what they wish with their negotiations. Whether it's with the European Union or others, that really is going to be very helpful," Minister Ng stated during her speech.

Minister Ng asserts that the Updated Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Ukraine, signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has expanded the scope of provisions, now including trade in services, investments, simplified entry for businesspeople, digital trade, and other aspects of collaboration between the two countries.

"What I'm hearing from businesses is let's do this work together. Let's collaborate so that you are creating the right conditions through this trade agreement so we can go there and be a part of the rebuilding effort. I've had really excellent discussions with Canadian businesses who are looking to be a part of that rebuild, whether it's infrastructure or environmental cleanup, particularly, you know, after the war, it's just so necessary. As you build, you want to be able to build on soil that has remediation, which Canada is really good and excellent at. We want to be a part of providing future energy security that is green. They want Ukraine because they have an opportunity to build, to rebuild in a way that will also fight climate change," Minister Ng emphasized.

For the staff at Oseredok, it was an honour to once again serve as a meeting and networking place for representatives of the Canadian government and the Ukrainian community.

"Oseredok doesn't conduct business, but we are pleased that we can be the forum where Ukrainian and Canadian businesses meet with the government, serving as the hub that Oseredok is," said Olesia Sloboda, the curator of collections.

The main purpose of the minister's visit to Winnipeg was to establish business connections between companies from both countries and stimulate businesses in the province of Manitoba to support Ukraine's economic recovery.

"We cannot take any of these steps without businesses in Manitoba, without your education sector, without your workers, without the services you provide, and without the wonderful people here – residents of Manitoba, Ukrainians, Ukrainians here in Manitoba, the diaspora, and, of course, all of us," stated Minister Ng.

According to Linda Hunter, President of the Board of Directors of Oseredok, the economic support from the Canadian government is now more crucial than ever for the Ukrainian diaspora, as Manitoba is preparing to welcome another 7,000 newly arrived Ukrainians by the end of March 2024.

"By the end of March, we expect approximately another 7,000 Ukrainians to come to Manitoba. This is a serious challenge – to provide them with housing and employment. It will be difficult, as Manitoba has already accepted at least 23,000 individuals, so another 7,000 in a short period will be a challenge," Hunter explained.

Minister Ng stated that Canada's support for Ukraine is not limited to just signing an economic agreement; Canada will support Ukraine with all its resources and means until it prevails in the war.

"Canada stands with Ukraine not only just with the free trade agreement, but in all of the other support as we as a country are there behind Ukrainians and Ukraine, and certainly for those brave and courageous soldiers who are fighting every single day with their lives and their courage to win this war and so that we in Canada and the rest of the world can be a part of the rebuilding effort."