Poland in Canada

More than 35 young leaders of the Polish diaspora in Canada, from British Columbia to Quebec, took part in the seminars and workshops at the Canadian parliament and the Embassy of Republic of Poland in Ottawa. The aims of the Summit included: (1) analysis of the prospects for preserving the Polish identity among the young generations of Canadians of the Polish origin, (2) directions of cooperation between the Polish organizations/communities in every province and the role of the umbrella organizations  such as Canadian Polish Congress, (3) the career advancement opportunities for the Polish diaspora leaders in the Canadian political and civic sphere.

1st Day at the Canadian Parliament

The first day of the Summit was inaugurated by the Polish ambassador to Canada, Witold Dzielski, together with the president of the Canadian Polish Congress (CPC), Janusz Tomczak and the member of the Canadian Parliament with the Polish origin, Irek Kuśmierczyk (Chair of the Canadian-Polish Parliamentary Friendship Group, Liberal Party, Ontario). During his speech, Polish ambassador explained the nature and emphasized the importance of historically intense Polish-Canadian cooperation in various sectors. Ambassador also referred to the future and challenges facing the Canadian Polonia.

Young Polonia leaders spent that day participating in the various meetings with numerous representatives of the Canadian parliament and the federal government, including MPs of the Polish descent: Irek Kuśmierczyk (Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Labour), Damien Kurek (Conservative Party, Alberta), Tom Kmiec (Shadow Minister for Immigration, Conservative Party, Alberta); with MPs who are involved in the Polish affairs: Peter Fonseca (Member of the Canadian-Polish Parliamentary Friendship Group, Liberal Party, Ontario), Yvan Baker (Chair of the Canadian-Ukrainian Parliamentary Friendship Group, Liberal Party, Ontario), Francesco Sorbara (Liberal Party, Ontario), Shuvaloy Majumdar (Conservative Party, Alberta), Michelle Ferreri (Shadow Minister for Family, Children and Social Development, Conservative Party, Ontario), Bryan May (Liberal Party, Ontario), Ryan Turnbull (Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Innovation, Liberal Party, Ontario), Pierre Poilievre (Leader of the Official Opposition of Canada, Conservative Party, Ontario), as well as with Ministers: Arif Virani (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada) and Francois-Philippe Champagne (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry). Civic activities, the Polish-Canadian cooperation and the opportunities for greater involvement of the young generation of Polish-Canadian professionals in politics and lobbying for the Polish community were among the main topics of conversations with the government officials

2nd Day at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland

On the second day, the agenda included the inspiring workshops such as online meeting with the Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzeja Dera (responsible for the Polish diaspora issues) – on the topic of the future shifts in the Polish diaspora and the cooperation between Poland and Polonia; discussion with the ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Canada, Witold Dzielski – about the strong Polish-Canadian cooperation and building the positive image of Poland in Canada; panel discussion with the ambassador of Latvia to Canada, Kaspars Ozoliņš – about the strategic role of Canada on NATO’s Eastern flank; and coaching session with dr. Walter Perchal entitled "Where do we come from, where are we going?”

The pivotal element of the Summit was the discussion panel of the Canadian Polish Congress on the future of Polonia. The discussion was led by the experienced Polish active members – president of the CPC Janusz Tomczak, vice-president of the CPC Dominik Roszak, vice-president of the CPC Iwona Malinowski, secretary general of the CPC Barbara Stadnik-Felińczak, president of the CPC British Columbia District Michael Dembek and president of the Polish Canadian Business and Professional Association of Windsor Jerzy Barycki. They reflected on the future of the Canadian Polish community, the role of its young leaders and the reasons why young generations could or should get involved in the activities of the Polish organizations. The participants drew attention to the importance of greater involvement of young Polish organizations under the umbrella of the CPC, the largest umbrella organization formally representing the interests of the Canadian Polish community. They also pointed out the significance of teaching and promoting the Polish language, while at the same time maintaining openness to the representatives of the Polish community who may only speak English or French.

Young Polonia Leadership Summit in Canada ended with a special gala at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Ottawa. During the ceremony the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Canada and the representatives of the CPC presented the occasional certificates to the YPLS participants.