Last week, on the 31st Independence Day of Ukraine, I was honoured to join the Premier, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and the Ukrainian ambassador, Yuliya Kovaliv, at the Lighthouse Artspace in Toronto for a special preview of the incredible new exhibit titled Ukraine: Land of the Brave, which will soon open as part of the Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival, from September 15 to 18. I want to encourage all members to visit. Proceeds will support the purchase of medical and evacuation vehicles in Ukraine.

I want to thank the Mississauga companies, like Musket Transport and Cyclone Manufacturing, that have worked together to send humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

I also want to thank Ontarians, including many in my own community, who have welcomed Ukrainian refugees into their homes and into their communities—over 25,000 in the last six months. While I can’t name all of them here, I do want to thank the Sheridan Park Family Church for helping to collect donations of food, clothing and other supplies for refugee families now staying in local hotels. They will join a vibrant Ukrainian Canadian community in Mississauga that has an incredible, positive impact on Ontario—from athletes, like the Toronto Maple Leafs legend Johnny Bower to entrepreneurs like Igor Antonoff, a long-time resident of Port Credit. Ontarians will always welcome refugees, and our government will always ensure they have access to the resources and services they need.

Once again, happy independence day. Slava Ukraini.