'It's important there be no war fatigue,' Canada's foreign affairs minister says on anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Wednesday Canada needs to remain steadfast in its support of Ukraine, as the country marked its Independence Day and the six-month anniversary of Russia's invasion.
Joly said Canada will "be there" for Ukraine by sending more heavy artillery, humanitarian aid, and financial support for the Ukrainian government, which she said is in a "dire state." She reiterated the need to support the country, especially as the war continues.
"Well, obviously it is a grim anniversary today, but it is important there be no war fatigue," Joly told CTV's Your Morning. "We need to make sure that we double down in supporting Ukraine, that we never forget that the people that are in Ukraine right now are fighting for their freedom, but are [also] fighting for our own freedom."
"What is happening in Ukraine is linked to Europe's security, and Europe's security is also our security," she added. "That's why we need to be steadfast in our support."
Speaking about Canada's latest round of sanctions against Russia, Joly said that 62 more Russian officials have been added to the list, including Maria Alexeyevna Lvova-Belova, Russia's presidential commissioner for children's rights, because of her alleged involvement in abductions of Ukrainian children by Russia.
Joly also reiterated the RCMP has been working with the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice to investigate possible war crimes, including cases of Ukrainian children being abducted and taken to Russia without family reunification plans.
"Our goal is to make sure that there is accountability, and that we go before international courts," she said.
Ukrainian MP Yevheniya Kravchuk told CTV News Channel on Wednesday that this year is a stark contrast to last year’s 30th anniversary celebrations, which featured concerts and parades. Instead, she said, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cancelled the celebrations this year due to safety concerns, and the day was filled with the sounds of air sirens.
Zelenskyy later said, in a video address to the United Nations Security Council, that at least 15 people were killed and 50 wounded today after Russian forces launched a rocket attack on a train station in Chaplyne, in central Ukraine.
Kravchuk said she’s thankful for the Ukrainian armed forces and volunteers who have held the Russian army back all these months, and that she wants the world to “be as brave as Ukrainians right now.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is also marking Ukraine’s Independence Day, and listed the economic aid, military equipment, and training of Ukraine’s military as ways Canada has supported the country during the war.
"The relationship between Canada and Ukraine is built upon generations of people-to-people ties," Trudeau said in a press release Wednesday. "Nearly 1.4 million people of Ukrainian descent live in Canada today — the second largest Ukrainian diaspora in the world. Canada was also the first Western country to recognize Ukraine's independence, and we have worked alongside the people of Ukraine to help build a safe, democratic, and prosperous country ever since. The bonds uniting our peoples are unbreakable."
Trudeau added that Canada's Parliament buildings will be lit up in the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag to mark the 31st anniversary of the country's independence from the former Soviet Union.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland also marked the occasion, in a video she posted to Twitter, speaking Ukrainian.
“We are extremely proud of you, we believe in your victory and Canada will be with you to the very end,” she said in the video, addressed to Ukrainians, and captioned in English. “Glory to Canada! Glory to Ukraine!”
A press release by Global Affairs Canada states the Canadian government will continue to support Ukraine becoming a member of the European Union, and "support international efforts to hold Russia accountable for its invasion."
Conservative Party of Canada interim leader Candice Bergen also voiced her support for Ukraine Wednesday, and called on the Liberal government to reverse its decision to go against its own sanctions by returning a Russia-owned gas turbine to Germany.
Other world leaders — including several from NATO member countries — have also voiced their support for Ukraine.
U.S. President Joe Biden announced this week nearly $3 billion in aid to Ukraine, while British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a surprise visit to Kyiv to mark Independence Day.
Meanwhile, Trudeau and visiting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also announced more money for Ukraine: on Tuesday, the two pledged $3.85 million for two projects to support Ukraine’s security sector institutions.
With files from The Associated Press
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW AI helping to identify undiagnosed genetic disorders in children
Researchers have developed the world's first algorithm powered by artificial intelligence to identify children with undiagnosed rare genetic disorders.
Healthy diets with only 10% ultraprocessed foods may raise risk of cognitive decline, stroke
Eating more ultraprocessed foods is linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline and stroke, even if a person is trying to adhere to a Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet or the MIND diet, a new study found.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
Toronto awarded WNBA's first franchise outside U.S., with expansion team set to begin play in 2026
Toronto has been awarded the WNBA's first franchise outside the United States, with the expansion team set to begin play in 2026.
How does this end? With Hamas holding firm and fighting back in Gaza, Israel faces only bad options
Diminished but not deterred, Hamas is still putting up a fight after seven brutal months of war with Israel, regrouping in some of the hardest-hit areas in northern Gaza and resuming rocket attacks into nearby Israeli communities.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
With 2M seniors signed up and 10K providers, Holland defends dental plan rollout
Canada's dental care plan is 'getting there' Health Minister Mark Holland said Wednesday defending the program's rollout that's now seen two million seniors sign up, but just 10,000 oral health providers enrolled to treat them.
Majority of Canadians plan to stay close to home on this year's summer vacation, survey finds
A new survey found a majority of Canadian respondents plan to stay within the country on their next trip amidst high costs of living.
Local Spotlight
'Best experience ever': B.C. baker on making it to the finals of Netflix's 'Is it Cake?'
When Jujhar Mann said he wanted to be a pastry chef on a grade school career project, he didn't imagine that pursuing his dream would land him on a popular Netflix baking competition.
Winnipeg chef delivers Manitoba cuisine to Houston diners
A city known for its history, ties to outer space and southern barbecue, is also home to a Winnipeg chef dishing out dozens of perogies.
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada goose vs. fox fight on video
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
Beyond books: Halifax libraries lends instruments, sports equipment, memory kits and more
Public libraries in Atlantic Canada are now lending a broader range of items.
'A special bird': The unbreakable bond between purple martins and humans
Flashes of purple darting across the sky mixed with the serenading sound of songs will be noticed more with spring in full force in Manitoba.
7-year-old Pokémon prodigy heading to Hawaii for world championship tournament
Catching 'em all with impressive speed, a 7-year-old boy from Windsor, Ont. who only started his competitive Pokémon journey seven months ago has already levelled up to compete at a world championship level.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
From DVDs to rehearsals: Halifax theatre company transforms Video Difference building into arts hub
2b Theatre recently moved into the old Video Difference building, seeking to transform it into an artistic hub, meeting space, and temporary housing unit for visiting performers in Halifax.
'Another pair of eyes watching over me:' How a B.C. woman's service dog saved her from drowning
A B.C. woman says her service dog pulled her from a lake moments before she had a seizure, saving her life.