Premier Doug Ford has condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine in the legislature.
“There are certain dates that will be forever printed in our history books – dates that will be forever etched into our memories. June 28th, 1914 the beginning of WW1, September 1st, 1939 the beginning of WW2. We must pray that February 24th, 2022, isn’t next.” he said.
He says last night’s violent attack was done on a sovereign nation.
The Province is assisting the people of Ukraine by providing $300,000 in humanitarian aid during this difficult and challenging time.
Ontario’s monetary support will be donated to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation and will be used to support humanitarian purposes, including providing medical aid, emergency shelter and food security in Ukraine. The Canada-Ukraine Foundation will ensure the donation will be used to provide assistance quickly and efficiently to people and families in need.
Ontario will also be ready to assist anyone fleeing from Ukraine who is in need of settlement services. Settlement agencies support newcomers and refugees to find housing, employment, health services and more when they arrive in Ontario.
“We share Premier Ford’s concern over Russian aggression into Ukraine. We know the required humanitarian support will be significant and we are grateful to the government and the people of Ontario for supporting this worthy endeavor,” said Orest Sklierenko, President of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. “We hope to continue to work with the province of Ontario in the coming weeks as we support the people of Ukraine during this trying time.”
For Ford’s full legislature comments on the situation see below.
“Last night, we witnessed a violent attack on a sovereign nation by a despot, a thug. We witnessed Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression begin in Ukraine,” he said. “The bonds between Ukraine and Canada run deep. For without the Ukrainian people… Their resiliency… Their bravery… Their strength… Their willingness to fight for their family and friends…
The Canada we know and love today, would not be the same.
The food that feeds our families… It’s farmed by grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Ukrainian immigrants… who left aggression and poverty to settle the Canadian West.
Our greatest athletes… like Gretzky… Our greatest entertainers… like
Trebek… Our greatest voices… like Bachman… Our greatest scholars and scientists…like Dr. Bondar…
Ukrainian-Canadians. We’ve cheered them on…we’ve laughed and sang along…together, we’ve touched the heavens.
They left a permanent mark on Canadian history. They left a permanent mark on our society. For again, without Ukraine…
The Canada we know and love today, would not be the same. And because of that… We will be forever tied together…
As two nations… An ocean apart… But forever one. Canada shall never waver in standing against tyranny. Canada shall never waver in defending democracy. Canada shall never waver in our support of Ukraine. As Putin’s aggression light up the skies of Kiev… They will see the strength of the Ukrainian people emerge from the darkness. We must ensure the Ukrainian flag flies high above the skyline.
The blue and yellow must be the last colours the invaders see. Slava Ukraini. Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the heroes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
Last night, we witnessed a violent attack on a sovereign nation.
Without the Ukrainian people, the Canada we know and love today would not be the same. #WeStandWithUkraine
1/2 pic.twitter.com/Zl93XiVGFB— Doug Ford (@fordnation) February 24, 2022