KAWARTHA LAKES- Nearly 1.4 million people of Ukrainian descent live in Canada today. According to the Prime Minister that’s the second largest Ukrainian diaspora in the world.
Local and federal politicians marked Ukrainian Independence Day.
“Today, we mark Ukrainian Independence Day. On this day in 1991, Ukraine declared its independence as a nation. Today, 31 years later, Ukrainians are fighting for their freedom in the face of Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion of their country.
At City Hall on Tuesday morning, the Mayor and Councillors were joined by Alex Shulyarenko, member of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and his family along with local Ukrainian community members for a flag raising event.
In Ukraine, August 23 is the Day of the Ukrainian Flag and August 24 is Ukrainian Independence Day. As a show of support, the City of Kawartha Lakes hosted the flag raising ceremony.
Along with the Ukrainian flag being raised, the lights of City Hall will be changed to yellow and blue for the night to honour the people of Ukraine as they continue to resist Russia’s devastating and unlawful occupation of their country.
Mayor Letham remarked, “To our local Ukrainian Canadians, and to all Ukrainians around the world, Kawartha Lakes stands by you in your continued fight for freedom”.
