We’ve often written that Toronto’s Ukrainian diaspora is one of the largest in Canada. Ukrainians began arriving in Toronto in large numbers last century, and it’s worth noting that many of them have successfully made their mark and realized their full potential. One such individual is Volodymyr Mackiw—a distinguished Ukrainian-Canadian inventor, chemist, mining engineer, and metallurgist. He made significant contributions to the development of the mining and metallurgical industries in Canada and around the world. Read more about him on toronto-future.com.
The Inventor’s Ukrainian Roots
As you might have guessed, Mackiw hailed from Ukraine, born in the Ivano-Frankivsk region in 1923. From a young age, he showed a strong aptitude for the exact sciences, which would later define his life’s path.
After finishing school, Mackiw attended universities across Europe—studying in Wroclaw, Erlangen, and Leuven, where he earned a degree in chemistry in 1946. Just two years later, the young man moved to Canada. Initially, Volodymyr worked as an analytical chemist in the mines of Manitoba before joining the Sherritt Gordon mining company in Toronto. It was at this company that he experienced a meteoric rise in his career, advancing from chief chemist to Director of Research, a member of the board, and eventually Executive Vice-President. This was an impressive career trajectory for an immigrant.
Inventive and Scientific Activities
In Toronto, Volodymyr Mackiw was deeply engaged in scientific research. Alongside Professor Forward, Mackiw developed a highly effective method for nickel extraction, which is now widely used in North America and Europe. Furthermore, the inventor authored over 50 scientific papers and held 45 patents related to technologies for extracting nickel, cobalt, copper, and zinc, as well as methods for welding non-ferrous metals.
Mackiw’s primary achievements in chemistry were tied to developing highly efficient technologies for extracting non-ferrous metals, particularly nickel, cobalt, copper, and zinc. His scientific developments had a profound impact on the evolution of technology in the mining and metallurgical sectors, boosting both the productivity and quality of metal extraction. Beyond his practical inventions, he was an active researcher, contributing significantly to the advancement of chemical science in Canada.
Given Toronto’s vibrant Ukrainian community, the inventor was an active participant. Mackiw was a member and, from 1994 to 2000, the head of the Canadian chapter of the Shevchenko Scientific Society (NTSh-K). Under his leadership, the society continued its robust scientific, cultural, and publishing activities, helping to preserve Ukrainian culture and science within the diaspora.
Volodymyr Mackiw spent his final years in the province of Ontario, specifically in the community of Islington. He passed away in 2001, leaving behind a remarkable scientific legacy in the fields of metallurgy and mining.
As a reminder, Toronto’s Ukrainian diaspora is one of the largest and most active in Canada. Ukrainians began to settle in the city en masse starting in the early 20th century, with significant waves of immigration occurring after the First and Second World Wars. It was during this period that a large number of emigrants from Western Ukraine and other regions arrived. Historians note that the first arrivals were often unskilled labourers who found work on railways and in construction. However, over the years, the Ukrainian community grew and became increasingly educated and professional. Volodymyr Mackiw, a well-known figure in Toronto, is a testament to this fact.
We hope you found this article informative and learned something new about our city.