Canada’s defence minister promises Ukrainian community continued military, humanitarian aid

Canada’s Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand, was in Niagara on Wednesday, promising the Ukrainian community that her government is committed to continuing to support Ukraine with military and humanitarian aid.

As Russia gears up for a larger assault in the east, there’s concern from some about how long it will take for those weapons to reach Ukrainian soldiers.

Anand met with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) in Niagara Wednesday, to talk about the $500 million dollars in additional military support promised in the latest federal budget.

Irene Newton from the Niagara UCC said her biggest concern is how long it will take for the additional military aid to reach battlefields in eastern Ukraine, where a large Russian assault is expected soon.

The budget still needs to be approved, and the house of commons is on a break until Monday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a video detailing a specific list of weapons his country needs and Minister Anand said she is aware of the items and is working with suppliers and allies to help get them.

Evidence of Russian atrocities in Ukraine continues to build, including the killing of civilians and allegations of Russian soldiers raping Ukrainian women.

CHCH News asked the minister if she thinks Russia is committing genocide. Anand said a “very strong argument can be made that this is indeed of that nature.”

Newton said it’s very difficult to find longer-term accommodation, and she hopes that all levels of government can better work together to coordinate services for newly arrived Ukrainians. Newton hopes the minister will take that back to her colleagues in Ottawa.