In 1914, at the outbreak of the First World War, parts of western Ukraine were within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, one of the Central Powers against which Britain and her dominions and allies were at war. This prompted the Canadian government of the time to class Ukrainian immigrants and naturalised Canadians of Ukrainian descent as enemy aliens under the War Measures Act. Ukrainian Canadians were treated as enemy aliens regardless of their individual origins, political views, or allegiances. Across the country, approximately 8,000 men, women, and children were confined to internment camps, labour camps, or local gaols. Another 80,000 were registered as enemy aliens and required to regularly report to police and carry and produce identity papers on demand. The internment and registration of Ukrainians in Canada lasted from the outbreak of the war in 1914 until 1920, two years after the cessation of fighting.
For a year, from 20 September 1914 to 17 September 1915, Ukrainians in Nanaimo were interned at local provincial government premises, before being relocated to camps elsewhere in the province. In all, 24 receiving stations and camps were set up across Canada, with Ukrainian Canadians being joined as the war went on by those of German, Austrian, Bohemian and other descent.
On Sunday 27 October 2024, at 11AM, we will hold a memorial service—Divine Liturgy followed by Panakhyda—for the victims of Canada’s internment operations during the First World War. We are especially pleased to welcome our brothers and sisters from Saint Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox parish in Parksville on this occasion.