December 17, 2004

Premier Gary Doer today offered his best wishes to MLAs Doug Martindale and Len Derkach and all Manitobans selected to join a contingent of monitors for the Dec. 26 election in Ukraine.

Both MLAs are representing the Province of Manitoba as part of a team of Canadian observers. Martindale was also one of 20 Manitobans selected by the Winnipeg-based Canadian Ukrainian Congress to participate in upholding the democratic process in Ukraine.

"People in Ukraine will finally have a chance for fair and legitimate elections," said Doer. "Manitobans must do everything we can to ensure that the democratic process is upheld and I am pleased that Manitobans—including two members of the legislative assembly— will be assisting in this historic event."

"I am honoured to have been chosen to go to Ukraine and represent our province," said Derkach. "Ensuring that the democratic process is upheld is vital to the continuing development of democracy in Ukraine."

On Nov. 30, all parties in the Manitoba legislature passed a resolution urging the Manitoba government to work with its federal counterpart to take whatever measures possible to uphold the democratic process in Ukraine.

"The Ukrainian people deserve to have the same democratic rights as Canadians and deserve to have their voices heard," said Martindale. "I am pleased to have been selected by the Canadian Ukrainian Congress and look forward to doing my part along with other Manitobans in support of free and fair elections in Ukraine."

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