I recently returned from a goodwill trip to Ukraine where therapy dog Tango and I shared friendship, a listening ear, and a caring manner with many people. Those we met shared their personal stories of war: the effects of missile attacks on their neighbourhoods, the impact of nearly continuous rolling power outages due to damaged electrical infrastructure, and the stresses and sorrow that war brings. I witnessed first-hand the destruction at a large children’s hospital and residential areas, visited the locations of atrocities in Bucha and Irpin, and experienced air raid alerts often.
The Ukrainian people are resilient, resourceful, and steadfast in their commitment to defend their country and to live their lives in peace. The risk of defeat brings with it horrible consequences for all Ukrainians. It has been over 900 days since Russia commenced its full-scale war against Ukraine and over 10 years since this war started.
We Canadians must not forget this war and its impact on the innocent people of Ukraine. Canada must continue to exert pressure on Russia to stop its evil aggression and at the same time continue to support the Ukrainian people in all reasonable ways. Ukrainians want the same things you and I do – to live in peace, to nurture their children, and to love and cherish those they care about without fear of losing them to war. Take a moment and remind your member of Parliament of this and ask them to continue to advocate for Ukraine.
Rob Johns
Saanich
