'We can't believe it': Winnipeggers throw surprise baby shower for Ukrainian refugee couple
A Winnipeg woman is making sure a couple from Ukraine is feeling right at home as they prepare to welcome their first child.
Mariia and Constantin Domin arrived in Winnipeg at the end of May after leaving war-torn Ukraine.
Betty Boisvert met the couple while they were picking up donated supplies for their apartment at a storage warehouse and Boisvert heard Constantin playing the piano in the warehouse.
"I was absolutely enthralled by his music," said Boisvert.
While telling one of her friends about the couple, they came up with an idea to throw them a baby shower, as Mariia is expecting her baby on July 12.
She said she was able to get a bunch of community members together, who had never met Mariia or Constantin, and the shower was held on June 22.
"They fit right in, the two of them. We had a lot of laughs…they were just absolutely thrilled with all the gifts they got."
Mariia and Constantin Domin receiving new clothes for their baby. (Source: Betty Boisvert)Mariia said the couple were scared when they first came to Winnipeg as they left family behind and didn't know anyone in the city. However, that quickly changed as they said people have been so friendly to them.
"We've had a lot of help here. It's so heartwarming that we have had a lot of help. We can't believe it," said Mariia.
The two started off living in a hotel when they first arrived and later transitioned to an apartment.
On the day of the shower, Mariia said she received a phone call from Boisvert telling her they had something for them.
Mariia and Constantin Domin at a surprise baby shower. (Source: Betty Boisvert)"There were a lot of people," said Mariia.
"It was a very happy day for us," said Constantin.
The two received several items including clothes, a changing table, a crib as well as money to help them when the baby comes.
Boisvert said she has taken it upon herself to take Mariia and Constantin under her wing.
"We've adopted them. They're mine," Boisvert laughed.
While they wait for their baby, Constantin said he is focused on work. He currently has a job in a warehouse but said he is hoping to get back into music as he used to teach piano in Ukraine.
"I want to continue studying music," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada should loosen visa requirements to allow more Ukrainian refugees: report
A new report says Canada needs to change its federal visa policy to speed up the admission of Ukrainian refugees, which has slowed to a trickle.
P.E.I. group calls on government to reinstate COVID-19 measures
A group on Prince Edward Island is calling for a return to tougher COVID-19 restrictions in the province.
Canadian army veteran charged with murder after mass shooting in Belize nightclub
A Canadian Armed Forces veteran has been charged with murder in connection to a mass shooting in Belize that left two people dead and eight others injured.
B.C. actress hit in the chest by bullet in L.A. shooting last month
A B.C. performer is recovering after taking a bullet to the chest in Los Angeles last month.
Well-known Brampton, Ont. real estate agent, media personality savagely attacked outside home
A well-known real estate agent and media personality in Brampton, Ont. was viciously attacked in broad daylight in his own driveway by three men, two of whom appeared to be wielding an axe and a machete.
More Canadians report strong attachment to their language than to Canada: poll
A new survey finds more Canadians report a strong attachment to their primary language than to other markers of identity, including the country they call home.
Homemade baby food contains as many toxic metals as store-bought options, report says
Making baby food at home with store-bought produce isn't going to reduce the amount of toxic heavy metals in the food your baby eats, according to a new report released exclusively to CNN.
Mint to unveil coin commemorating Canadian jazz legend Oscar Peterson
The Royal Canadian Mint is launching a special coin celebrating late music legend Oscar Peterson.
Oilers mourn death of 'dear friend' Ben Stelter after battle with brain cancer
The Edmonton Oilers say they are mourning the death of Ben Stelter, a six-year-old boy with cancer whom the team rallied around during their run to the Western Conference final.
Regina
-
NEW
NEW | SaskTel experiencing LTE voice call issues in southern Sask.
SaskTel is experiencing voice call issues on its network in southern Saskatchewan.
-
Missing children, parent found unharmed: Regina police
Three missing young children, including an infant, have been located unharmed, the Regina Police Service (RPS) said in a news release.
-
Two charter flights bring more displaced Ukrainians to Regina
Two charter flights with approximately 230 displaced Ukrainian residents arrived in Regina Wednesday night from Warsaw, Poland, after a brief layover in Edmonton, Alta.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon mother accused of faking death says she 'was left with no choice'
A Saskatoon mother who stands accused of faking her own death, as well as her son's, and illegally entering the U.S. is defending her actions.
-
Former students of Saskatoon school allege sexual abuse in $25M legal claim
Former students are working to bring a class action lawsuit against the Saskatoon school where they allege they suffered physical and sexual abuse.
-
Two children at centre of Sask. Amber Alert found safe in South Dakota, suspect arrested
The Meade County Sheriff’s Office in South Dakota said it has arrested the man wanted in connection with an Amber Alert in Saskatchewan.
Northern Ontario
-
Social media model arrested in Hawaii on murder charge
Law enforcement in Hawaii on Wednesday arrested social media model Courtney Clenney on a charge of second-degree murder with a deadly weapon.
-
Four-year-old girl wound found wandering on tracks at Toronto subway station
A four-year-old girl who went missing from her home has been found wandering on the tracks at a Toronto subway station.
-
Canadian army veteran charged with murder after mass shooting in Belize nightclub
A Canadian Armed Forces veteran has been charged with murder in connection to a mass shooting in Belize that left two people dead and eight others injured.
Edmonton
-
2 Edmonton seniors with dementia missing after alarm at care facility
Edmonton Police Service issued a missing persons notice for two local seniors with dementia early Thursday morning.
-
EPS constable accused of sex assault while on duty found not guilty
An Edmonton police officer accused of sexual assault was found not guilty in court last week.
-
Charges pending after cyclist struck in crosswalk
An 18-year-old sustained serious injuries when he was hit by a driver who was heading onto Anthony Henday Drive Wednesday afternoon.
Toronto
-
Four-year-old girl wound found wandering on tracks at Toronto subway station
A four-year-old girl who went missing from her home has been found wandering on the tracks at a Toronto subway station.
-
Wonderland reveals plan for new 'one of a kind' ride coming next year
Canada's Wonderland has announced two new rides that will be available for guests next year, one of which the amusement park says is 'the only one of its kind in the world.'
-
Investigators to speak about brazen machete attack on Brampton, Ont. real estate agent
Police plan to release more details about a brazen daylight attack on a Brampton, Ont. media personality last week that was caught on surveillance camera.
Calgary
-
Man ambushed, stabbed to death in Banff bar, friends say
The man accused of killing a 26-year-old Banff man last week is expected to appear in court on Wednesday.
-
Canadian army veteran charged with murder after mass shooting in Belize nightclub
A Canadian Armed Forces veteran has been charged with murder in connection to a mass shooting in Belize that left two people dead and eight others injured.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER | Kevin Stanfield's forecast: Calmer for Calgary this week
Calgary has a chance at weaker storms today.
Montreal
-
2 shootings within minutes of each other in Montreal leave 1 dead, 2 injured
Two shootings that occurred within minutes of each other in Montreal's northeast end have left one person dead and two others injured.
-
Religious minorities feel less safe, welcome in Quebec since Bill 21 was adopted: survey
A new study shows that religious minorities in Quebec, particularly women, feel less safe and less welcome in the social fabric of society since the adoption of the province's secularism law, commonly known as Bill 21.
-
WATCH LIVE
WATCH LIVE | Royal Canadian Mint to launch new $1 coin featuring jazz legend Oscar Peterson
A legendary Canadian jazz pianist will be featured on a new run of $1 circulation coins, the Royal Canadian Mint has announced.
Ottawa
-
What you need to know about the Queensway closure this weekend
Hwy. 417 will be closed between the Metcalfe and Carling/Kirkwood exits from 8 p.m. Thursday until Monday at 6 a.m.
-
WATCH LIVE
WATCH LIVE | Royal Canadian Mint to launch new $1 coin featuring jazz legend Oscar Peterson
A legendary Canadian jazz pianist will be featured on a new run of $1 circulation coins, the Royal Canadian Mint has announced.
-
Ottawa fire crews contain garage blaze in south end
Ottawa fire crews kept a garage fire in the city's south end from spreading into a home Thursday morning.
Atlantic
-
Wildfires and a closed highway didn't stop a Newfoundland town's Come Home Year party
Wildfires shut down the highway into town, the band had to be boated in and some guests made an exit on a fishing vessel, but the Newfoundland town of Harbour Breton hosted its Come Home Year party last weekend anyway.
-
Private medical clinic sets up shop in N.S., raising questions about impact on public system
A private medical clinic has set up shop in Dartmouth, N.S., and although there's no signage outside the property yet, the Quebec-based health firm Algomed already has more than 200 patients registered at its private clinic.
-
'Fall from grace': Former CEO of IWK Health Centre sentenced to 5 months in jail for fraud
The former CEO of the IWK Health Centre has been sentenced to five months in jail for using public money to pay for more than $45,000 worth of personal expenses.
Kitchener
-
Man pleads guilty to threatening prime minister during Cambridge campaign stop
A man has pleaded guilty to uttering a threat against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a campaign stop in Cambridge last year.
-
-
Surgeries cancelled at Cambridge Memorial Hospital as staffing issues mount
Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH) has cancelled several surgeries over the last two days as staffing pressures combined with bed capacity limits put pressure on the overloaded system.
Vancouver
-
Camping may be available on Bowen Island if Metro Vancouver proposal goes through
A Lower Mainland destination that doesn't currently have any campsites may welcome campers in the coming years if Metro Vancouver's proposal goes through.
-
B.C. highway report: Route closed in both directions due to mudslides
A stretch of B.C. highway was closed overnight in both directions due to mudslides in the area.
-
Coquihalla Highway crash causes $100K of damage to luxury sports car
A B.C. crash that caused $100,000 worth of damage to a luxury sports car has prompted a warning from police about how costly it can be when drivers don't check their blind spots.
Vancouver Island
-
'This was a bizarre incident': Man arrested after kayakers struck by log pushed off cliff near Nanaimo
Mounties say a pair of kayakers are lucky to have escaped serious injury after a man pushed a large log over a cliff and onto their boats in the waters off Nanaimo, B.C.
-
Great Gatsby-themed lawn bowling fundraiser returns to Victoria in support of childhood cancer research
The Great Gatsbowl, a 1920s-themed night of fun, frivolity and lawn bowling all in support of childhood cancer research is returning to Victoria this month.
-
'Never seen them stuck on there': Transport truck lands on highway median in Campbell River, B.C.
A commercial truck driver escaped serious injuries after the rig he was driving ended up on top of a concrete barrier Wednesday morning in Campbell River, B.C.