The MP for Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman's been named as one of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group's executives. James Bezan attended the group's AGM recently, and notes with a new fiscal year underway, and a change in Canada's government, he's happy to take on the role of vice-chair.

"A number of the former executive officers had been defeated in the election six months ago. We're starting with a quite a new slate of directors, and executive officers serving on the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, so I'm pleased to serve as one of the veterans of the group, and serving as the vice-chair representing the Conservative party."

He says the group really has the work cut out for them, citing a number of projects to increase engagement between the two countries. He says improving trade and travel is the focus of some of their work as they work alongside Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada, Andriy Shevchenko

"We'll be working very closely with him to talk about Canada-Ukraine issues, such as the closing of the Canada-Ukraine free trade deal and getting that signed off and implemented. Also working on the petition that I sponsored on behalf of Nick Krawetz from Manitoba on removing the Visa requirement for visitors who are coming for three months or less to Canada."

Another item they're working on is calling for the release of Nadiya Savchenko, a member of Ukrainian Parliament and fighter pilot. Bezan notes she was captured by the Russians, and accused of murdering two journalists, which he says occurred after she was already in Russian custody. Bezan notes she was taken across international borders against the Geneva Convention, and sentenced to 22 years.

"She's on a hunger-strike and many of us in the Parliamentary Friendship Group have been making statements, issuing press releases, and writing letters to the powers that be, demanding that (Vladimir) Putin frees her. President (Petro) Poroshenko in Ukraine has offered to do a prisoner exchange. Nadiya is not just on a hunger-strike, she's also refusing to take water and she may only have a couple of days left to live. This one is highly urgent."

While the group works across party lines, Bezan says he personally wants to see Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion step up and demand Savchenko's release.