'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
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
What new auto insurance reforms will mean for Ontarians, if they get introduced
Ontario has among the highest rates for auto insurance premiums in Canada -- just below Alberta and Nova Scotia -- however, the introduction of an insurance reform in the provincial budget could soon lower prices.