FERGUS – A demonstration urging Canadians and their government to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian invaders was held here on Sunday.
Olga Bodnar of Fergus and her sister Sandy Bodnar organized the demonstration near the St. David Street office of Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong because they were unable to travel to Toronto for a large pro-Ukraine rally held there the same day.
“The rest of our family and friends are in Toronto,” said Olga.
The women’s parents came to Canada from Ukraine and they still have relatives there.
“And one of them is fighting,” said Sandy.
Their cousin, a 58-year-old former solider, has joined the battle alongside many of his countrymen who are fighting with weapons hastily issued by the Ukrainian government to all those willing to defend their county.
“He was in the army when he was young and they’re not letting anybody out from 18 to 60. They’re keeping all the males in, so he had to go,” said Olga.
“But he wanted to,” added Sandy. “He had a visa to come here for a visit and he said no.”
Along with a flyer listing actions they would like the Canadian government to take in support of Ukraine, the sisters were handing out pamphlets featuring an English translation of the country’s national anthem.
“One of the lines says, ‘We’ll not spare either our souls or our bodies to get freedom.’ That’s why they’re so passionate about leaving their country and they’re fighting … young people, civilians, older women,” said Olga.
“I saw them handing out guns and, I mean, everybody’s into this, right? They’re fighting like hell.”
Sandy said on Sunday that they had not heard from their cousin in three days.
“Before that it was like five times a day,” said Sandy. “We have no idea where he is, but he’s fighting for his homeland.”
Olga confirmed on March 1 that they still had not heard from their cousin.
A flyer passed out by the demonstrators called on Canadians to tell their MPs “Canada must help Ukraine now.”
A demonstration in support of Ukraine was held in Fergus on Feb. 27. Photo by Patrick Raftis
The group called for Canada and its allies to:
- implement a no-fly zone over Ukraine to protect civilians from Russian air attacks;
- provide anti-aircraft, anti-rocket and naval weapons systems to Ukraine; and
- isolate Russia from the international community through a full trade embargo and removal of Russia from the SWIFT international payment system.
Numerous sanctions have already been placed on Russia by Western nations, including Canada, which also agreed over the weekend to ban a number of Russian banks from the SWIFT system.
Weapons systems have also been sent and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Sunday Canada would send anti-tank weapons and upgraded ammunition to Ukraine.
“The government is doing a lot, for which we’re grateful. I mean, not only the Canadian government, we’re seeing it right around the world,” Olga noted.
“But you know, there’s still more, and I suspect there’s still more that they will do.”
The demonstrators see a no-fly zone as critical to protect the civilian population. However, NATO leaders have dismissed the tactic as it would be considered a direct attack on Russia and could lead to escalation of the conflict.
Olga said the demonstrators contacted Chong’s office to advise them of the demonstration in advance. She added office staff offered to help by sending out information prior to the event and followed up with “a wonderful email” afterward.
Olga said it was “overwhelming” to experience the support in the form of honks and shouts of support from passing motorists as they stood in the street holding signs and flags in Ukraine’s colours.
“We hadn’t even set up yet and people were honking, showing thumbs up signs … showing heart signs,” said Olga in a telephone interview following the event.
“We were so overwhelmed. People were bringing us coffee, hot chocolate. Do we need sandwiches? A young couple came. They had passed by, they went home, they made two little flags on canvas, Ukrainian flags, and they had like a five-month-old baby. They stood there with us,” Olga recalls.
“It was overwhelming. And it brought tears to our eyes.”
She added, “And the other thing that we realized is that people care. People want to do something, they just don’t know what to do. So, you know, bringing us coffee, or showing support, maybe made them feel a little bit better that they had done something.”
Many people asked if they were accepting donations, which they aren’t, but Olga said they directed people to organizations that are, including the Canada-Ukraine Foundation at cufoundation.ca.
Those wishing to show their support can also attend area rallies planned for this Sunday, including one at noon in Orangeville and another at 2pm in Caledon.
Olga said it’s important for residents of western nations to realize that Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s aggression must be stopped before it expands.
“It’s scary because if we don’t stop him there we’re going to be stopping him here,” she said.
“And you know, we have a beautiful country, the U.S. is a beautiful country, but there’s never been a (modern) war fought on this land …
“Not everyone can understand what that’s like. So it’s important to stop him.”
