Point of order.

Today, people are marking this holiday in Ukraine, across Ontario and around the world, still under the cloud of Putin’s war of aggression. This year, we celebrate not only the many contributions that Ukrainians here in Canada have made to our province and our country but also that Ukrainian culture remains strong despite all attempts to destroy it.

Speaker, this Vyshyvanka Day, Putin continues his efforts to destroy Ukraine. He means not merely to conquer but to wipe out their identity and erase their history. He will succeed in neither. Ukraine is resisting his illegal invasion with unflagging courage and tireless endurance.

As Ukraine bravely re-establishes control of their land, we are learning the full extent of Russian atrocities: the torture facilities, the mass graves and the atrocities of Putin’s war. We can’t look away. This is the face of the Russian occupation: towns and cities turned into mass graves. There must be justice. As President Zelenskyy said, “Putin seeks to destroy our future, to destroy our nation, our character.” This is why Ukraine must fight and why we must stand with them.

Many of us were surprised and all of us are impressed by the astounding bravery of Ukraine’s resistance. The Ukrainian military and the Ukrainian people rallied behind President Zelenskyy. They defended their capital and drove the Russian army back from Kyiv and continue to push them back on multiple fronts. The struggle to free their homeland continues.

Canada and our friends and allies around the world have rallied to support Ukraine and to impose strong sanctions on Russia, Russian companies and Russian officials responsible for the illegal invasion. Ukrainians have been provided with weapons, ammunition and other much-needed support.

Vehicles proudly manufactured here in Ontario are on the front lines. We’ve seen Ontario-based businesses stepping up with plans to deliver 1,000 armoured vehicles to Ukraine this year alone. Our province’s manufacturing might and expertise is supporting Ukraine’s defence, but it’s the Ukrainians who fight, and they are defending freedom and democracy for all of us.

Speaker, many Ukrainians have had to flee Putin’s war of aggression, which has now displaced over eight million refugees. Ontario has become the refuge for more of those fleeing the invasion than any other province in the country. We have now welcomed over 56,000 displaced Ukrainians with open arms, and Ontario will continue to work in partnership with the federal government, across our government, businesses, unions, faith organizations, municipalities and other community groups, to ensure those coming here to Ontario have access to the supports they need to start a new life and a safe life here.

Under the leadership of our Premier, we’re doing everything we can to help those fleeing the war and arriving at our door, whether temporarily or to make Ontario their new home. Last spring, we announced supports including a dedicated job search hotline, access to health care, emergency income assistance, free kindergarten-to-grade 12 education, child care and more.

Our ministry has also provided $4.4 million to help new arrivals with language services, housing supports, employment services and mental health supports. These supports are helping to make sure Ukrainians arriving here in Ontario have access to the programs and services they need to start a new life here. Not only our government, but community organizations, employers, labour partners and people right across Ontario have come together to support those fleeing the invasion.

Ontario stands proudly with the people of Ukraine, and we’ll continue to stand with the people of Ukraine. Canada is home to over 1.3 million Ukrainians, the third-largest Ukrainian population in the entire world. Our countries are bound by the ties of friendship and family, bonds that unify all of us. We will help those who come to our shores to find sanctuary and rebuild their lives, and we stand by those who fight to free Ukraine from Putin’s illegal invasion, to restore their freedom and sovereignty. If he thinks he can erase an independent Ukrainian nation and a free Ukrainian people, we have seen that they will never, ever permit that to happen.

Ukraine must and will prevail. Glory to Ukraine. Slava Ukraini.

Today, Ukrainians, both at home and amongst the diaspora, and supporters of Ukraine, celebrate Vyshyvanka Day, which occurs on the third Thursday during the month of May. I am proud to speak on behalf of the NDP leader and our caucus to mark Vyshyvanka Day at Queen’s Park.

Speaker, I’ve had the opportunity to wear a vyshyvanka on numerous occasions—an embroidered shirt Ukrainians believe to be protection against the ills that can befall people, but also of all the good things we can experience in this life: love, loyalty and happiness. Aligned with this deep meaning behind vyshyvanka, my hope—our hope—for all Ukrainians, on this day and always, is protection against violence, hardship and oppression, and for lasting peace and freedom.

Across Ukraine, vyshyvankas of different regions have unique patterns, ornaments, materials and colours. This rich variety of motifs tells the story of a diverse Ukraine. However, it is a Ukraine unified through a beautiful traditional craft—embroidery—with every family having their own unique embroidered vyshyvanka. The vyshyvanka is therefore a symbol of a rich, diverse and resilient culture.

The Ontario NDP has always stood in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian community, and we will continue to do so. We won’t and must not forget, and we cannot lose sight of the fact that there have been hundreds of thousands of casualties and millions of people displaced because of the invasion by Putin. We will never turn a blind eye to the blatant violations of human rights and international law that continue to happen at this very moment.

We also cannot forget that many of the displaced have come to Canada. But even long before the conflict, Canada has been home to many people of Ukrainian descent, and Ukrainian Canadians have long-standing communities across the country. My riding of Parkdale–High Park is home to a thriving Ukrainian community, and since the beginning of the conflict, I have witnessed many moving instances of community care in support of Ukraine. In fact, this evening, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress is hosting a community parade at Jane and Bloor in my riding in support of those still fighting for freedom and democracy in Ukraine.

There are many more examples of community care. Last September, the Ukrainian festival organizers hosted a solidarity march. The Ukrainian immigrant aid society, a non-profit based in my riding, has provided settlement support to refugees. There are many, many events that have happened and are continuing to happen. Many families have opened their arms and welcomed Ukrainian refugees into their homes.

Speaker, communities across Ontario and Canada are doing their part, and the provincial government must continue to do the same. It is important today to wear the vyshyvanka. It is also important for this government to promote, through action and policy, what the vyshyvanka stands for: resilience for Ukrainians in the face of adversity.