September 20, 2022. OTTAWA, ON. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) calls on the Government of Canada to respond meaningfully to attacks against supporters of Ukraine and members of the Ukrainian Canadian community.
The UCC once again calls on the Federal Government to expel the Russian diplomatic mission from Canada and establish a Federal Task Force that would address the problem of hate crimes and violence against Ukrainian Canadian individuals and organizations and those who support them.
“Russia is a terrorist state committing genocide against the Ukrainian people. The continued presence in Canada of the Russian diplomatic mission, whose members have repeatedly defended Russia’s acts of genocide, is a moral affront to Canadian values,” stated Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the UCC. “Moreover, the presence of Russian diplomats in Canada is clearly a security threat to our country that must be addressed by our government.”
Yesterday, demonstrators who regularly gather outside the Russian consulate in Montreal to demonstrate their opposition to Russia’s genocidal war against Ukraine and show their support for the Ukrainian people were violently attacked for playing the Ukrainian National Anthem.
A news report on the hateful attack is available here: Show of support for Ukraine takes ugly turn outside Russian Consulate in Montreal
In August, a blue and yellow painted bicycle, placed on public property outside the Russian embassy in Ottawa – placed there by local activists as a reminder of Russia’s genocidal war against the Ukrainian people – was defaced by people who emerged from a diplomatic car later seen on the property of the Russian embassy. The vandals also spray-painted the letter “Z” – a symbol of support for Russia’s genocidal war against Ukraine and support for the Russian war criminals prosecuting that war – on the sidewalk.
More than a month after this incident of hate took place, there has been no reaction from the Department of Global Affairs or other federal authorities, despite overwhelming evidence that the perpetrators have ties to the Russian embassy.
More information is available here: Hateful attack on Ukrainian symbol in Ottawa
Canada’s Communication Security Establishment stated on April 25, “Kremlin officials continue to be directly involved in guiding and coordinating Russia-backed disinformation efforts.” The Annual Report for 2020 of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians stated, “The Russian Federation also continues to exploit Russian diaspora and compatriot organizations in Canada.”
Join the UCC Call to Action! Write to Your MP!
