Hon. René Cormier: Thank you very much, Senator Kutcher, for your eloquent speech on the importance of culture — specifically Ukrainian culture, of course, but also culture in general. I had the immense privilege of welcoming a group of Ukrainians who had arrived in New Brunswick to my francophone region. Through music, we were able to create an incredible bond between our two communities.

We know that culture is a provincial jurisdiction, but wouldn’t it be a good idea to have more programs at the federal level to help different cultures come together, since it is these kinds of engagements that strengthen our country culturally? Would you agree with that?

[English]

Senator Kutcher: Thank you very much for your question, Senator Cormier, and also for your leadership in improving the Franco-Canadian culture — the Canadien culture. It is just so important. Thank you for that, and also for your musical talents, which we wish we heard more of.

When I first learned to play the harmonica, the first song that I played — and it just came out of nowhere — was the “Kolomeyka,” which is a Ukrainian dance.

I completely agree with you; frankly, I would like to see much more federal investment in everything that we can do to help us better understand each other, and I think it must begin with our young people. I would like to see investment in Canada so that our young people can go from coast to coast to coast in order to live and experience culture and community from people who are not like the people that live down the street from us — rather it’s people we need to get to know better. I think we would have a lot fewer conflicts in this country amongst ourselves — this internecine warfare, which is not necessary — if we had the opportunity to spend more time living and learning with each other.

Thank you.