'We stand with Ukraine': Thousands rally outside Manitoba Legislature to support Ukraine
Thousands of people gathered outside the Manitoba Legislature as a show of support for Ukrainians amid the ongoing Russian invasion.
Ukrainian flags flew high among the large group of Manitobans who came together Saturday evening in front of the Manitoba Legislative building. Organizers estimate about 5,000 people attended the rally which was hosted by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Manitoba Provincial Council.
"Tonight we are sending Vladimir Putin a message – Manitoba stands with the people of Ukraine and we stand against this unjustified invasion," said Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, who spoke during the rally.
"Many of you have families over in Ukraine right now. Our message to you is that we are here for you."
Stefanson said she has informed the federal government that the Province of Manitoba will do its part to take in Ukrainian refugees looking for a safe haven and expedite Ukrainian immigration applications through the provincial nominee program.
She pointed to a memorial on the Legislative grounds recognizing the horrors of the 1932 Holodomor – a forced famine that killed millions of Ukrainians by starvation.
"The Ukrainian people have suffered under the rule of an evil dictator before," she said. "Manitobans and all Canadians must do everything we can to make sure that never happens again."
Manitoba Liberal MP Dan Vandal said Canada has condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine.
"President Putin's brazen disregard for international law, for democracy and for human life are a massive threat to security and to peace around the world," he said. "We stand united and steadfast in our support of Ukraine's sovereignty, and we stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people's right to decide their own future in a free and democratic state."
Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman said the rally in Manitoba was one of many taking place across the country.
"We want to communicate a very clear message - this war is unjustified. It is illegal. It needs to stop," he said. "We stand with Ukraine."
In addition to the rally, the Legislative building will also be lit up blue and yellow.
The rally comes as many people, businesses and organizations in Manitoba, including some Russian people, are condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
READ MORE: Condemnation over Russia invasion of Ukraine grows in Manitoba
On Friday, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries confirmed it has pulled two Russian alcohol products from Liquor Mart shelves.
READ MORE: Two Russian alcohol products pulled from Manitoba shelves
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Legendary hockey broadcaster Bob Cole dies at 90: CBC
Bob Cole, a welcome voice for Canadian hockey fans for a half-century, has died at the age of 90. Cole died Wednesday night in St. John's, N.L., surrounded by his family, his daughter, Megan Cole, told the CBC.
Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction overturned by N.Y. appeals court
New York's highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction, reversing a landmark ruling of the #MeToo era in determining the trial judge improperly allowed women to testify about allegations against the ex-movie mogul that weren't part of the case.
2 teens charged in Halifax homicide: police
Two teenagers have been charged with second-degree murder in connection to an alleged homicide near the Halifax Shopping Centre earlier this week.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that is banned at Queen’s Park.
12-year-old hippo in Japan raised as a male discovered to be a female
When Gen-chan arrived at a zoo in Japan in 2017, no one questioned whether the then-five-year-old hippopotamus was a boy. Seven years later, zoo staff made a surprising discovery: Gen-chan, now 12, was female.
Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.
CTE: Researchers believe widespread brain injury may contribute to veteran suicide rate
Researchers are working to better understand if some Canadian military veterans may be suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE -- a disorder previously found in the brains of professional football and hockey players after their death.
1 arrested in northern Alberta during public shelter order
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.