Ukrainian-Canadians want sanctions placed on Russia to deter 'potential war'
With Russia continuing to mobilize its troops on the eastern border of Ukraine, there is growing concern the threat of war is imminent.
“I am very afraid for Ukrainians and Ukraine,” Daria Luciw, an active member of the Ukrainian community in Alberta, said.
“Our community is preparing for the worst,” Orysia Boychuk, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta Provincial Council, added.
“There could be a potential war... and if the war does occur, there will be huge implications.”
The father of Luciw’s children has lived in Ukraine for 30 years, but he’s moving back to Edmonton this week. She said there’s a sense of relief amongst the family as unrest continues overseas.
“Very grateful he’s coming back now because of the increasing tensions,” she said. “It is very much a day-to-day scenario in terms of what will happen there and when will Russia invade.”
However, the presence of Russian troops is not new to the Ukrainian people. Luciw said they've grown accustomed to living in “fear” since Russia invaded Crimea in 2014.
“You see the young men and women who are so dedicated to their country and so dedicated to keeping Ukraine free and away from the imperialist Russian leadership,” she explained.
“I would imagine that there is some sense of concern that all the work that’s been going on in Ukraine to rebuild that country, to give it a stable economy, to find effective stable leadership is potentially going to be derailed at this time... again. Because this country has gone through this many times.”
Nick Hynek calls Edmonton home, but he currently lives in Kyiv teaching English, social studies and calculus to Ukrainian children.
He told CTV News Edmonton the messaging they’ve been given from Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine is to “stay calm.”
“A lot of people are still going about their lives until something happens.”
“I’m concerned for the friends that I’ve made here and met,” he explained. “Some of my friends are going to have to go to war and fight for the freedom of their country. I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Until there is more clarification from the Canadian Embassy, Hynek said he’ll stay put for now.
“I’ve had a bag packed just in case I had to leave and I’m nervous about it.”
Canada has the third largest Ukrainian population in the world, with more than 150,000 Ukrainian-Canadains just in Edmonton, Boychuk said.
“There is a lot of unknown and there is a lot of stress because there really is no sense of what’s going to happen next.”
Boychuk said the ramifications from the turmoil in Ukraine and Russia could be felt worldwide.
“That is something we need to pay attention to,” she explained. “It is a global security issue for all of us.”
“We’re also asking to increase sanctions on Russia to show that we’re all paying attention and that we want Russia to back off and for Ukraine to live in a peaceful, civil society.”
On Feb. 5, Boychuk said they’re organizing a car rally to stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and come together as a community to “engage Albertans.”
“My fear is that it’s gotten so intense that Putin won’t back down anymore,” Luciw added. “It feels like he’s had a plan in place.”
“We have to take it seriously,” Hynek concluded.
With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Jessica Robb
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'