Вінніпеґ Український № 22 (46) (December 2018)

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OPINION. ДУМКА A LESSON IN DEMOCRACY The referendum on the opening of Portage and Main to pedestrians is a lesson in democracy for all of us Denys Volkov community organizer rior to the October 24, 2018 City of Winnipeg Referendum, Ukrainian Winnipeg printed an editorial re- P garding the opening of the Portage Ave and Main St intersection to pedestrians. It was enlightening to read how the most popular publication in Winnipeg’s Ukrainian community highlighted the pros and cons of opening the iconic intersection. The results of the October 24, 2018 referendum were clear: 65% of Winnipeggers voted against opening the intersection to pedestrian crossings. A minority of 35% were in favour of opening the intersection to pedestrian pathways. On this same day, Mayor Brian Bowman of Winnipeg was re-elected. During his current election campaign, Mr. Bowman continued to express his support for opening the intersection, as he had done in his first election campaign four years ago. However, Mayor Bowman also promised to respect the wishes of the majority vote in the referendum. According to the results, and the Mayor’s promise to honour the majority vote, the intersection of Portage and Main will remain closed to pedestrians. While the “TEAMOPEN” campaign was very vocal and received support from many media outlets, the opposing camp was virtually invisible, and yet the vast majority of Winnipeggers voted against the opening of the intersection. According to the Probe Research poll released in September 2018, the top three concerns against opening the intersection were: • it will slow down traffic through the intersection, • it will cost too much • it will be unsafe for pedestrians. The “TEAMOPEN” camp argued that opening this intersection would help with downtown development, safety and accessibility. Regardless of the final vote, the newly-elected City Council will face the daunting task of repairing the underground sections of the intersection which, in the near future, will require multi-million dollar investments. The key takeaways from the referendum for Winnipeg could be as follows: 1. Every vote counts. Voters should know that their voices matter and that they are free to contact their elected officials with issues significant to themselves as citizens of Winnipeg. The fact that people from different political stripes and different ages came together and voted against the Mayor’s potential plan demonstrates that politicians must listen to voters, so referendums don’t have to be called on issues like Portage and Main in the future. 2. Referendums are rare and unpredictable. In Canada, it is unusual and uncommon to make major decisions in public referendums. Let’s not forget that on the same day as the Portage and Main referendum took place, eight municipalities in Manitoba conducted plebiscites on allowing the sale of cannabis in their communities. Results varied from community to community. Despite producing unpredictable results, referendums remain a powerful decision-making option. 3. The public should always participate in politics and politicians should pay attention to the needs of the electorate. In the grand scheme of things, the cost of opening Portage and Main, estimated at $12 million, is significantly smaller as compared to the Investors Group Field football stadium ($210 M) or the Highway 59 and North Perimeter Highway interchange ($250 M). The approval to proceed with these projects was not the result of a referendum and consequently did not generate much controversy. Perhaps, a referendum for the opening of Portage and Main was not necessary. However, this famous location has a special place in the hearts of many Winnipeg residents and the proposed changes ignited emotions and generated debate. One can argue that that recent elections and referendums from the election of the United States of America’s President Donald Trump, to Brexit have one thing in common. Political pundits, mainstream media and career politicians have failed to predict how the public will react to issues which generally are decided upon by politicians. This is a new trend in a representative democratic system in which every few years the public elects politicians in whom they place their trust. It is with appreciation to Ukrainian Winnipeg magazine for the coverage of the Portage and Main referendum, that we can relay to our friends and families in Ukraine how democracy operates in Canada. Next year, the citizens of Ukraine will vote in their upcoming elections for President and Parliament. We all should keep the recent Winnipeg referendum as a strong reminder that politicians should pay attention to voters throughout their time in office in order to avoid having unpredictable referendums on important issues in the future. УВ 6 Український Вінніпеґ - ГРУДЕНЬ 2018 -
Де святкувати Новий Рік ибір насправді величезний і на будь-який смак: Celebration Dinner В Theatre, Thermëa, Assiniboia Downs, Park Theatre, Radisson Hotel, RBC Convention Centre, Club Regent, Children Museum – всі гарантують незабутній час. Більшість ресторанів та барів також матимуть новорічні вечірки. Для тих, хто хоче зустріти Новий Рік серед українців ми вибрали 3 місця: Holy Eucharist Parish Center 460 Munroe Ave Привітна громада церкви Пресвятої Євхаристії вже традиційно запрошує приєднатися до них під час зустрічі Нового Року. Age group: 40-60 Tickets: $65 for Adults. Children 6 yrs and under free Bar: open Food: Selection of Appetizers, Baron Roast Beef by Larry at "Budget Catering" Music: The Ukrainian Old Timers For more info and tickets: 204-663-5363 Saperavi 709 Corydon Грузинський ресторан після перерви минулого року знову запрошує до себе у Новорічну ніч. Святкування в ресторані приваблює своєю кухнею, затишною атмосферою та грузинськими винами. Очікується багато українців. Age group: 30-50 Tickets: $85 Bar: cash, glass of wine and champagne included Food: 5 course meal served buffet style Music: DJ: 70s, 80s, 90s. For more info and tickets: 204-416-3996 Institute “Prosvita” 777 Pritchard Ще одне традиційне місце зустрічі Нового Року для українців. Товариство «Милосердя» разом з Інститутом «Просвіта» обіцяють веселий вечір наповнений танцями та конкурсами. Всі зібрані кошти підуть на благодійні заходи товариста «Милосердя». Age group: 20-60 Tickets: $60 Bar: cash, glass of wine and champagne included Food: Traditional Ukrainian New Year meal Music: Live, Ukrainian & English For more info and tickets: 204-582-5939 - DECEMBER 2018 - UKRAINIAN WINNIPEG 7
Page 2 and 3: 5 П’ЯТА 6 OPINION 7 Announcem
Page 4 and 5: Українська Католиц
Page 8 and 9: BABYCH BROTHERS BIG HIT IN UKRAINE
Page 10 and 11: REFLECTION OF NOVEMBER 2018 HOLODOM
Page 12 and 13: F film screening "That Never Happen
Page 14 and 15: T WINNIPEG PREMIERE OF LUHOVY’S D
Page 16 and 17: КАЛЕНДАР ПОДІЙ CALENDA
Page 18 and 19: ВИКОНАВЧИЙ ДИРЕКТО
Page 20 and 21: Yuri Andrukhovych in Winnipeg krain
Page 22 and 23: Mission Without Borders is a Christ
Page 24 and 25: T he Sechka family, who live in a n
Page 26 and 27: 70 th anniversary of PLAST senior s
Page 28 and 29: ВЕСЕЛА НОВИНА by Duet M
Page 30 and 31: та конфісковано ве
Page 32: Merry Christmas Щасливого

Вінніпеґ Український № 22 (46) (December 2018)

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