'We have hope': Sask. marks 2 years since invasion of Ukraine with candle lighting and flag raising
On Friday at the legislative building, people gathered in recognition of the anniversary of the war in Ukraine. The event featured a ceremonial candle lighting and speakers.
Two years ago on Feb. 24, Russia launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine, which changed the lives of many forever, one of those lives being that of Olha Kolos.
“I wish Ukrainians to live in peace, because we are really peaceful people, we like to work, we like to work with the ground with our gardens. We don’t want the war, nobody wants,” she said.
Kolos arrived in Saskatchewan in June of 2022 with her family after her fears for the safety of her three children grew too big to ignore.
She spoke about her experience at an event marking the anniversary in the legislative building.
“At their tender age, my children know what fighter jets and explosions sound like, how to sleep with their clothes on the floor and sit in the bomb shelter. We made a hard decision to take them as far from the war as we can, to Canada,” Kolos said in her speech.
Since the invasion, the province has sent five planes to bring Ukrainians seeking refuge to Saskatchewan.
“Our responsibility right from day one has been to welcome Ukrainians. We have over 130,000 people of Ukrainian descent in Saskatchewan, which is about 13 per cent of our province,” explained Terry Dennis, MLA for Canora-Pelly and secretary for Ukrainian relations.
“They came here years ago and helped build the province so I think it’s only fitting that we welcome them and help them start a new life here.”
With such a large Ukrainian population in the province, this is a matter that hits very close to home for many.
“It’s emotional, it’s difficult, but we have hope, our people are resilient, hard working, tenacious and are looking forward to that victory for Ukraine,” said Elena Krueger, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Saskatchewan.
As for Kolos, it has been an emotional time but she continues to have hope.
“I want to continue to ask you to support us. I want to ask you to stand with Ukraine until our victory. For the name of justice and peace,” she said.
About 100 people gathered in front of Regina City Hall to mark the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine. (Gareth Dillistone / CTV News)
Meanwhile, more than 100 people gathered at Regina city hall to mark the somber anniversary.
Ukrainian Orthodox priests said prayers and everyone sang the Canadian national anthem. Speakers recognized the bravery and sacrifice of those fighting to defeat the Russians.
There were many children in the crowd, who may return to live in Ukraine once the war is over.
Regina Mayor Sandra Masters spoke to those who gathered and helped to raise a flag in front of city hall.
- With files from Gareth Dillistone
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Alberta's request for federal assistance approved after fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
Jasper mayor says alert system to be reviewed after message 'glitch'
More than 25,000 people have been displaced from Jasper National Park since wildfires started to threaten the picturesque corner of Alberta Rockies on Monday, but the mayor of its namesake municipality says not everyone received an evacuation alert when it was sent out.
Canada's premiers forced to confront escalating climate change-related disasters
Many of Canada's provincial and territorial leaders remained consumed by climate change-related natural disasters that have only escalated since they met for meetings in Halifax last week.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Unclaimed bodies are piling up in Newfoundland. A funeral director blames the government
A funeral director in St. John's says the bodies piling up in freezers at Newfoundland and Labrador's largest hospital likely belong to people whose loved ones couldn't get enough government help to pay for a funeral.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Monday breaks the record for the hottest day ever on Earth
Driven by oceans that won't cool down, an unseasonably warm Antarctica and worsening climate change, Earth's record hot streak dialed up this week, making Monday the hottest day humans have measured.
Prince Harry says lawsuits against U.K. press 'central piece' in family breakdown
Prince Harry, speaking in clips published on Wednesday from a new documentary, said his legal battles with Britain's tabloid press have contributed to the breakdown of his relationship with the royal family.