Paul Yuzyk
Encyclopedia
Paul Yuzyk was a Canadian historian and Senator remembered as the "father of multiculturalism." He was appointed to the Canadian Senate
on 4 February 1963 on the recommendation of John Diefenbaker
. He sat as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party
caucus until his death.
He was an associate professor of Slavic studies and professor of history at the University of Manitoba
and a professor of Russian and Soviet history at the University of Ottawa
. He was the author of several books including, For a Better Canada, The Ukrainians in Manitoba: A Social History, and Ukrainian Canadians: Their Place and Role in Canadian Life.
Yuzyk is remembered for being an early advocate of the concept of multiculturalism
, which he first broached in a senate speech in 1964. In the speech he criticized the Lester Pearson government for consecrating "Biculturalism" in the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism
, which Yuzyk said ignored the reality that Canada was in fact a "multicultural" society. For this Yuzyk was hailed as "the father of multiculturalism."
It was created in 2009Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism by the Government of Canada to "recognize individuals and groups in communities across Canada who have made exceptional contributions to multiculturalism and diversity." The award is presented annually for Lifetime Achievement or Outstanding Achievement. Candidates for the award must be nominated. The award recipient receives a certificate of honour and is asked to choose an eligible, non-profit organization to receive a $20,000 grant.
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
on 4 February 1963 on the recommendation of John Diefenbaker
John Diefenbaker
John George Diefenbaker, PC, CH, QC was the 13th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 21, 1957, to April 22, 1963...
. He sat as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
caucus until his death.
He was an associate professor of Slavic studies and professor of history at the University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...
and a professor of Russian and Soviet history at the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
. He was the author of several books including, For a Better Canada, The Ukrainians in Manitoba: A Social History, and Ukrainian Canadians: Their Place and Role in Canadian Life.
Yuzyk is remembered for being an early advocate of the concept of multiculturalism
Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g...
, which he first broached in a senate speech in 1964. In the speech he criticized the Lester Pearson government for consecrating "Biculturalism" in the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism
Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism
The Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism was a Canadian royal commission established on 19 July 1963, by the government of Prime Minister Lester B...
, which Yuzyk said ignored the reality that Canada was in fact a "multicultural" society. For this Yuzyk was hailed as "the father of multiculturalism."
The Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism
The Paul Yuzyk Award commemorates late Senator Yuzyk’s "pioneering legacy establishing multiculturalism as one of the fundamental characteristics of Canadian identity."It was created in 2009Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism by the Government of Canada to "recognize individuals and groups in communities across Canada who have made exceptional contributions to multiculturalism and diversity." The award is presented annually for Lifetime Achievement or Outstanding Achievement. Candidates for the award must be nominated. The award recipient receives a certificate of honour and is asked to choose an eligible, non-profit organization to receive a $20,000 grant.