Mykola Swarnyk for NP-UN
The Rally marking the one year anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in the night of February 24, marched from Dundas Square to Nathan Philips Square. Several thousand demonstrators gathered in Nathan Phillips Square, many wrapped in national flags of Ukraine, holding signs that read “Pray for Ukraine,” “Ukraine Wants Peace,” “#StandwithUkraine,” “Stop Genocide in Ukraine,” and “Canada Supports Ukraine”. There were also many Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian flags, as well as Iranian ones along with slogans against the Iranian oppressive regime. Of course, there were many calls to put Russia under more sanctions, to investigate and to punish those Russians who perpetrated war crimes and to give more weapons to Ukraine.
After some opening remarks, Fr. Bohdan Choly delivered a short prayer for Ukraine and its people. The crowd of dignitaries on the steps of the Nathan Phillips Square included Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Yvan Baker, MP of Etobicoke Centre, James Maloney, MP of the Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Arif Virani, MP for Parkdale – High Park, Peter Fonseca, MP for Mississauga East Cooksville, Ya’ara Saks, MP for York Center, Minister Carolyn Bennett, as well as Toronto Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie.
Anita Anand, the Minister of Defence, included in her short speech:
“Slava Ukraini! Long Live Ukraine! We’re so happy to be here with you tonight. We began training Ukrainian Armed Forces members in 2015 under Operation Unifier. We have trained over 35,000 members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces since 2015! And we’ll keep going. We have trainers in England and Poland right now training members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces so that they fight and win this unjust and illegal war. We’ve transported over 7 million pounds of military aid over the past year, and we’re gonna keep on going. Also, we put on the table over $1 billion of military aid, including eight Leopard-2 battle tanks. Four of those today will go to you, Ukraine. In addition, we put on the table 155-millimeter ammunition, a NASAMS air defense missile system, the M777 heavy artillery, cameras for drones, winter clothing, fragmentation vests, rifles, and ammunition for rifles. And the list goes on!”
She then introduced the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, who began his speech with this:
“Slava Ukraini! Thank you to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress for organizing this vigil here in Toronto. It’s incredible. This evening, I know, that vigils like this, are being held in many towns and cities across Canada. This is a night to celebrate Ukraine, to celebrate that we are all still standing. That Canada continues to stand with Ukraine. Canada’s and Canadians support for Ukraine is truly inspiring.”
Justin Trudeau sings “O, Canada” together with the Friday Mega March participants on Februuary 24
Prime Minister praised Father Bohdan Choly for his prayer, and young performers, as well all Ukrainian Canadians for their strength and perseverance.
“Today, Canada is home to the second largest diaspora community in the world and we all benefit from your hard work, your rich freedom traditions, and your steadfast support of Ukraine’s fight for freedom, and I am so grateful to be part of tonight’s event. A year ago today, Ukrainians woke up to the horror of war in their homes”, the Prime Minister continued.
It was at this moment, that he replied to the disruptive heckler who was in the crowd: “I think Ukrainians can tell you a little bit about freedom and liberty, so why not do you settle down? This is a night for them, not for you!”, a phrase that received a very positive reaction from the crowd.
“A year ago today”, – continued Trudeau – “Ukrainians woke up to the horrors of war in their country shortly before dawn on February 24th, 2022. While they slept, Putin fired a barrage of missiles at cities across Ukraine and Russian forces illegally invaded sovereign territory.”
He shared his impressions of his earlier visit to the St. Demetrius Catholic school in Toronto, where 151 Ukrainian refugee children go to classes right now. And since last year, more than 167,000 Ukrainian citizens have come to Canada seeking safety under special immigration entry visas. At St. Demetrius, students and teachers have collected books, clothes, grocery items and gift cards to give to newcomer’s families. They were running another donation drive this morning. Similar drives are happening at schools, community centers, church basements, and libraries across the country.”
Along with summarizing the military support that Canada has given during the last year, Trudeau also announced new sanctions and punitive economic measures to help continue to deplete the Kremlins war chest. He said, “When Vladimir Putin launched his war of aggression, he thought it’d be over in a few days, but he underestimated the courage and strength of Ukrainians. He underestimated the determination of those among us in the West and around the world who stand with Ukraine and who will stay with Ukraine as long as it takes.”
Trudeau ended his speech by invoking the Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, whom he speaks to regularly and who wished to pass along his love and thanks to all Canadians who stand with Ukraine. Prime Minister Trudeau ended his speech by declaring that “We stand up to bullies and we will stand with Ukraine with everything it takes for as long as it takes until we see peace returned to Ukraine. Slava Ukraini!”
The Honorable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, was the next politician to take the stand who praised and recalled the heroic efforts of all Ukrainians in the last year of the full-scale Ukrainian-Russian war.
He included the following:
“The heroic Ukrainian armed forces, who are fighting for freedom, have bravely resisted in the face of Russia’s aggression. The determination of the Ukrainian people is truly inspirational, and we’re here together to show the world that the people of Ontario stand with the people of Ukraine today and every day. And over the past year, Ontario’s welcomed over 60,000 Ukrainians to our great province, providing them with the supports they need – emergency housing, access to healthcare, education, and assistance with finding jobs”.
The Consul General of Ukraine in Toronto Alexander Shevchenko also greeted the crowd on behalf of the government of Ukraine. He thanked all those Canadians who have held onto their support for Ukraine: “Bless you Prime Minister for the political, financial, humanitarian, and military support and assistance provided by Canada, by your government to Ukraine. It is invaluable and it’ll always be remembered. The program of the government for letting Ukrainian families, in particular women with children to find refuge in Canada reflects the true nature of the Canadian nation, its kindness, compassion, humanism. Our words of gratitude also go to Premier Doug Ford and the government of Ontario for their daily efforts to welcome and accommodate those families in Ontario, and provide them with job opportunities, education and healthcare. We say huge thank to you to the Toronto City Hall and Torontonians… And finally, a huge thank you to the Ukrainian community of Canada, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, national, provincial, and city of Toronto for your fantastic support. You are unbelievable”.
Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvey then spoke to the gathered crown. She reiterated to the rally how the city supports Ukrainian refugees, how the city has installed “Free Ukraine” street signs around the Russian consulate in Toronto and included this statement: “This illegal invasion on a sovereign and independent country is an affront to democracy everywhere. The ‘Toronto’ sign is lit in blue and yellow in honour of Ukraine.” She also added that “too many lives have been taken by this war. We stand with you and we stand in support of you.”
Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, said Ukraine will “always have a friend” in Canada.
Lesya Chyczij, Petro Schturyn and Markian Shwec, as always during the many rallies and events this past year spoke with energy and determination to the members of Ukrainian community.
Donation boxes were passed around, the funds of which will go to frontline soldiers and those in need.
People sang Ukrainian songs, there were a few drums, beating to the rhythm of the people’s hearts. Despite the cold and darkness, with faces lit by the weak lights of the candles brought by participants, people were listening to the words of gratitude, support and courage. They cherished the opportunity of being together and feeling the welcoming solidarity of the Canadians. This march of the solidarity gave the Ukrainians a feeling of belonging and some hope for victory.
This article is written under the Local Journalism Initiative agreement
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