About Paul Yuzyk

Born of Ukrainian immigrant parents in 1913 near Estevan, Saskatchewan, Paul Yuzyk began his career as a teacher. After enlisting in the Canadian army, he completed a PhD in history at the University of Minnesota. Mr. Yuzyk subsequently taught Slavic Studies and History at the University of Manitoba, where he frequently wrote on the Ukrainian immigrant experience and was active in university and civic life. 

Mr. Yuzyk was appointed to the Senate of Canada by the Right Honourable John Diefenbaker on February 4, 1963. In his inaugural speech, Mr. Yuzyk argued that Canada is a multicultural nation that includes peoples from many different cultures, all of whom contribute to Canadian society.

According to Mr. Yuzyk, Canada could succeed in building a strong nation through adherence to the principles of Confederation, compromise and “unity in diversity.” He challenged the prevailing view that Canada was a bilingual and bicultural nation (in addition to Canada’s native peoples). He argued that Canadian society also included Canadians who were of neither British nor French descent. He also predicted that Canada would become a role model for other nations faced with the challenge of integrating peoples of diverse faiths and cultures.

While in the Senate, Mr. Yuzyk played an active role in the development and implementation of the Government of Canada’s multiculturalism policy, while participating in various parliamentary committees and in delegations to the United Nations and the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. He was closely associated with various cultural and human rights organizations, including as Director of the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews and Chairman of the Canadian Folk Arts Council.