The organization was created to help Ukrainian Canadians through the trials and tribulations afflicting the community in the aftermath of The Great Depression.

In August 2022, Russia designated the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada as an "undesirable organisation".

[1] In September 2023, Jurij Klufas, the president of the organization defended Yaroslav Hunka, a WWII veteran and a former Waffen-SS member who received standing ovations in the Parliament.

He stated that there was nothing wrong with the Canadian Parliament applauding a man "who fought for his country", although acknowledging in the circumstances "this may not have been correct".

[2] The UNF has local branches in Ottawa, Montreal, Oshawa, Toronto (2), St. Catharines, Hamilton, Windsor, Sudbury, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina and Edmonton.