Why Ukraine Occupies a Special Place in Canada’s Foreign Policy

The Ukrainian diaspora has occupied a distinctive and often consequential place in Canadian society. Its history dates back well before the conceptualization of the Ukrainian identity itself, starting with a 19th century migration from the Western territories of the Russian Empire and Austria-Hungary. A second wave came following the turbulent hurdles of WWI, the Russian Revolution and the inter-war period. The third wave of migration following WWII has without a doubt been the most controversial, and the most consequential for Canadian foreign policy. Famously, thousands of Nazi collaborators, particularly from the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Galician) met open arms in Canada. The division is honored by the far-right in Ukraine and by organizations of the Ukrainian dias…