Well, I got banned from ever traveling to Russia.
My Conservative colleague James Bezan, who has been banned from Russia for years, has called it a badge of honour.
I will never waver in my support of the people of Ukraine.
I will continue to denounce the evil and vile acts of the Putin regime and the Russian military.
It was an incredibly moving experience for Members of Parliament and for all Canadians to hear directly from President Zelenskyy.
I was struck by the contrast of the moment.
As Canadian Members of Parliament, Senators, Ukrainian-Canadians, and others gathered together freely and safely in the House of Commons to hear his address, President Zelenskyy made his remarks virtually from an undisclosed location in his embattled country.
Despite the contrast of such different circumstances, there was an overwhelming sense of common cause and solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
The public gallery was full of Ukrainian-Canadians who cried out on multiple occasions, “Slava Ukraini! Heroyam Slava!” It directly translates to “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!”
As Russian missiles and rockets are coming down around him, Mr. Zelenskyy has shown such incredible courage and leadership, as have all Ukrainians.
He has rallied his nation and the Ukrainian people are fearlessly continuing to fight the Russian invaders.
Mr. Zelenskyy spoke about the tragic consequences of Vladimir Putin’s war.
Children are being killed.
Schools and homes are being bombed.
Mr. Putin is trying to annihilate Ukraine.
It was hard not to be overcome in emotion thinking about the constant threat of death and destruction Ukrainian people are currently facing.
At this very moment, Kyiv and other cities are under siege from the Russian invaders.
The President asked us to picture Canadian cities being under attack and what we would do if we faced the onslaught of Russian bombs.
No family – Ukrainian, Canadian, or any other nationality – should ever have the threat of war hanging over them like this.
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