CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
We gather today, during a pivotal point in history. This is a time of incredible uncertainty. Attacks on the rules-based international order threaten to upend the peace and prosperity that have been the bedrock of Canada’s success.
This is a challenge on a generational scale. A challenge that history will judge us on. A challenge we must confront with lionhearted courage. And the world will find no better inspiration than my friend, here with us in our House today, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and his wife, the first lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska.
One year, six months, and 29 days ago, Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, unleashing a campaign of violence and brutality that has left countless dead and forced millions to flee. But for one year, six months, and 29 days, the people of Ukraine have defended their homes, their language, and their freedom to choose their own future. They have fought back with a courage that has inspired the world. They have been led by President Zelenskyy, a great champion of democracy.
President Zelenskyy, in March of last year, you addressed our Parliament, virtually. In June of this year, I addressed your national legislature in Kyiv, the Verkhovna Rada, and was honoured to see so many Canadian flags in the chamber. Today, you’re able to be here in person, to speak about your fight for your democracy and your freedom. And you do this to remind us that, back home, Russia continues its assault, and Ukrainians are sacrificing their lives.
President Zelenskyy, you and I speak regularly. We have talked about what is happening with Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and the ecological ruin being wrought by Russia’s tactics. We have talked about the human toll, the children being kidnapped, the people being taught to hate one another.
I’ve seen Putin’s destructive evil firsthand during my visits to Ukraine since the war began. I saw it in the bombed-out neighbourhoods, the bridges reduced to twisted steel, the abandoned homes. I also saw it in the faces of your citizens. They walked down the street, sat in cafes, daily life seemingly persisting. But with everyone I spoke to, I saw, in the backs of their eyes, the weight of this war. The fear for their fellow Ukrainians on the front lines, the anxiety that another air raid siren would go off any moment, the loss of a loved one. The toll of this war on the mental health and wellbeing of Ukrainians is immeasurable. I know, First Lady Zelenska, you are dedicated to the work to address this. So, today, we are providing funding to support mental health care in Ukraine.
When rules-based orders crumble, so much is lost. One example of how this breakdown manifests is the horrifying, preventable hardship as Russia blocks grain exports, worsening hunger and starvation among the world’s most vulnerable people.
President Zelenskyy, you and the Ukrainian people are holding the rules-based order in the balance. You are on the front lines. Not just of the fight for Ukraine. But the fight for the kind of future we are all going to be living in.
Rules matter.
In the wake of the Second World War, the bloodiest and deadliest conflict humanity had ever seen, nations from around the world agreed to a common set of principles and rules to restore peace. For three quarters of a century, these rules have enabled historic prosperity. They have opened up trade, given citizens confidence to invest in their futures, and lifted millions of people out of poverty. There is no place that hasn’t benefitted as a result of peace.
What Putin has done is a break with civilization. It is a violation of our common humanity. It is an attempt to disassemble the rules-based order that protects our freedom. It is a move to weaken democracy and assert autocracy. Putin governs with deception, violence, and repression. He imprisons his own people and stirs up ugly sentiments of xenophobia and racism. But his imperial delusions in Ukraine have been met with a fierce defence. A defence that is not just strong because of the support from friends around the world. But because those who fight for their freedom will always fight with their whole hearts. And so we must all fight in whatever ways we can. We must speak out, loudly, against violations of national sovereignty and affronts to international law. Breaches of the rules-based order must be called out. And transgressors must be held accountable.
That’s what our government has done since day one. That’s why we always, without exception, stand up to authoritarian states, and stand with those who defend international law, universal human rights, and the ability of all people to determine their own future. It’s why we held fast to our principles when Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were arbitrarily detained by China.
There are countries that are bending or breaking the rules; political forces that are pandering to demagoguery. And we are all experiencing a rise of disinformation—some state sponsored, some politically motivated—that twists facts and refuses evidence and science. In this era of uncertainty and of resurgent great power competition, rules are what will protect us. And it’s not enough for them to just be written down somewhere. We must advocate for them, stand up for them, and live by them.
History will judge us on how we defend democratic values. And Ukraine is at the tip of the spear in this great challenge of the twenty-first century.
That’s why Canada is there for Ukraine and why we stand against Russia. It’s why people across Canada have welcomed, with open arms, over 175,000 Ukrainians, some of whom are here with us today. There are those who have come from Bucha and Kharkiv. They are part of a group of Ukrainian scientists who have found safety in Canada. Their expertise in the clean economy is helping the world unwind its dependence on the fossil fuels weaponized by despots like Putin.
We also have leaders from the Ukrainian-Canadian community, Orysia. They come from the Canadian prairies where so many Ukrainian immigrants have settled for over a century. And they have led the charge in helping their communities welcome refugees fleeing Putin’s bombs, everything from collecting clothing donations to helping them find homes. We are also joined by Agnes and Susan, who lost their brother, Anthony, a humanitarian volunteer, just twelve days ago. He was killed in a Russian strike while trying to help civilians in Donetsk Oblast, innocent people who are being brutalized by the Kremlin’s unprovoked aggression. Today our gallery is filled with Ukrainians who have come to show their support and gratitude for you, Volodymyr. But I think we should all take a moment to thank them: for their bravery, their generosity, and their solidarity with the values of democracy.
President Zelenskyy, I have been clear that our government will stand with you for as long as it takes. Canada has provided almost 9 billion dollars in military, financial, and humanitarian support to Ukraine since Putin began his war of aggression.
Today we are making a longer term, multi-year commitment that provides predictable support to Ukraine. It will include 650 million dollars over three years for 50 Armoured Vehicles, including medical evacuation vehicles, that will be built by Canadian workers in London, Ontario. We’ll also send F-16 trainers, for pilots and for maintenance, so Ukrainians are able to maximize their use of donated fighter jets. We’ll continue to work alongside partners, including through NATO, to provide ongoing support.
And we’ll continue to provide economic support, next year, so that Ukraine remains a strong, vibrant, prosperous democratic country. But our greatest hope is that you will not need military or financial support for long. And that peace comes soon. However, it cannot be a false peace based on some compromise imposed by the aggressor. For it to be a lasting peace we must stand up to Putin and reject his attempts to bring us back to a time when might makes right. A lasting peace must make absolutely clear that borders mean something, no matter the size of your neighbour’s army. It must be a peace that restores Ukrainians’ right to choose their own future.
Canada stands with the principles of Ukraine’s Peace Formula. We believe that peace must respect the UN Charter, be based in international law, and preserve Ukraine’s territorial integrity. This is the peace we must fight for. And that is what Ukraine has done for one year, six months, and 29 days. Putin thought it would be quick work to take Kyiv. Putin thought President Zelenskyy would cave, in the face of personal peril. Sir, you have not. You have galvanized the world. You have made the bonds between democratic allies and friends stronger than ever.
Volodymyr, Olena, to see you here today in this chamber, to see so many proud and courageous Ukrainians here today, after everything you have all endured, is a testament to the commitment of your country and the strength of your fight.
President Zelenskyy, you’ve shown the world what true leadership looks like, even in the hardest of times. You are fighting with a sense of hope and are devoted to security and progress for your people. In times like this, the world needs leaders who understand that true strength is not about wielding power, but about empowering others. True strength is not about crushing your opponent with brute force and lies. It is about respecting the humanity and the dignity of everyone. It is about governing from a basis of truth and compassion. In times of crisis, holding fast to positive values like this can be a lot harder than resorting to fear and resentment, but it’s well worth it.
When the history books are written, we know what they will say of you: That you were among those who stood up for their principles no matter how hard. Among those who stood up to bullies. Among those who protected the less fortunate. Among those who unified people in the face of fear. Among those who defended the rules and upheld the law. Among those who put justice, hope, and freedom above all else.
We know that democracy is one of the greatest expressions of freedom. It gives us the right to have a voice. To choose our own future. To be protected by a system with justice and accountability. But democracy does not happen by accident and won’t continue without effort. We must defend it and strengthen it with all that we have.
Volodymyr, my friend, you have a unique understanding of this. You stare down Putin every single day. And we will be with you, and all heroes of this courageous fight, for as long as it takes.
Slava Ukraini!
Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honour to welcome President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine to address this House.