The first of a series of flights took off on Thursday, 7 August 2014, to deliver
non-kinetic security assistance to Ukraine
Messages Delivered at CFB Trenton
James Bezan, MP (Selkirk—Interlake) Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defense: Ladies and gentlemen, it’s indeed a pleasure to be able to join all of you here. I want to first of all recognize some of our special guests. We have Father Stephen Chmiliar, Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada. We have His Metropolitan Yurij Kalistchuk, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. I know Yurij from Winnipeg, so good to see you. His Excellency Vadym Prystaiko, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada. Member of Parliament Ted Opitz. Igor Kozak of the League of Ukrainian Canadians. Lisa Shymko, League of Ukrainian Canadian Women. And Yuri Shymko, President of the International Council in Support of Ukraine and a former Member of Parliament and MPP.
Russia’s continued illegal occupation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and its provocative and aggressive military activity in eastern Ukraine constitutes a real threat to international peace and security. Canada will not stand by in the face of this threat.
Since the onset of this crisis, Canada has stood proudly alongside the people of Ukraine and taken important steps to support the country, including important sanctions against those responsible for the growing conflict.
We have now imposed sanctions, with yesterday’s announcement, of over 189 Ukrainian and Russian individuals and entities, which is more than any other country in the world.
And if you go back to the beginning of this crisis, Prime Minister Harper and Minister John Baird were the first out in support of the people of Ukraine when they were rallying on the Maidan in support of the European Economic Cooperation and Comprehensive Agreement.
On March the 5th, Prime Minister Harper froze the assets of everyone that was involved in the Yanukovych regime. We then announced and pledged $220 million in support to help stabilize the Ukrainian economy. We followed that with our plans to isolate Vladimir Putin and the Russian Federation by not attending the G-8 Summit in Sochi, by then forming the G-7 and making sure that we continued to isolate Russia on the international stage.
Canada then proudly involved the Canadian Armed Forces in the NATO reassurance package, which included the deployment of a squadron of CF-18s. We also of course have the HMCS Toronto, before it was the Regina, in the eastern Mediterranean, and we have a company of soldiers in northern Poland. So all segments of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Army are all involved in standing up for our NATO allies in the area.
We have also been announcing support to stabilize the economy and the society of Ukraine. Mr. Fast – of course we know Minister Baird and Prime Minister Harper have made numerous journeys to Ukraine in support of the new President, of the new government and of the people. And Minister Fast was just there a few weeks ago, and Minister – or MP Opitz and myself were proud to be part of that mission, as well some of you here like Victor and Christina.
So it is – and Lisa was there and Oksana. And so it is important that we have the community involved in these types of trade missions because not only is the conflict in Ukraine about what’s happening from the standpoint of the aggression, but there is the social standpoint, there’s the economic standpoint, and there is the whole reformation that needs to take place.
With Minister Fast announcing his trip that we are going to relaunch the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, he announced $19.6 million in support of agricultural producers. We announced just a few weeks ago the support of training of human rights for judges, lawyers and human rights activists. And just last week Minister Paradis announced another $8.1 million to strengthen the multiparty democracy and train new political participants.
So I’m proud to be part of a government that has taken strong steps in supporting Ukraine and responding to the aggression that we’ve seen from Vladimir Putin and the Russian Federation.
I’m glad that today we’re about to make an announcement with my friend and colleague the Minister of National Defence Rob Nicholson. He and I were elected together back in 2004. He originally was elected in 1984 and ‘88, but has held a number of various positions, most recently was the Minister of Justice and now doing a great job as our Minister of National Defence.
Hon. Rob Nicholson, Minister of National Defence: It’s a great pleasure to be at 8 Wing Trenton today, the hub of Canada’s air mobility forces. Canada’s response to Russian expansionism and militarism in eastern Ukraine has been swift, targeted and unequivocal. Our government’s support to the people of Ukraine in the wake of the Putin regime’s aggression has been strong and clear, and it reflects the values that Canadians across this country hold.
In light of ongoing hostilities and Russia’s blatant support thereof, Canada has imposed severe sanctions on the Putin regime and continues its contribution to NATO’s reassurance measures in Europe.
As a result of the Putin regime’s continued illegal occupation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and its provocative military activity in eastern Ukraine, Prime Minister Harper announced yesterday additional economic sanctions and travel bans against Russian individuals as well as further sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian entities.
There has been heavy fighting and many casualties in the past 24 hours. Putin’s failure to end his support to armed rebel groups constitutes a real threat to international peace and security.
Canada will not stand by in the fact of this threat, which is why I am pleased today to announce even further action that Canada is taking to help the people of Ukraine.
Today, a CC-130J Hercules from right here at 8 Wing Trenton will be departing for Ukraine in the first of a series of flights to deliver non-kinetic military equipment that Ukraine will be able to use to secure and protect its eastern border against Russian aggression.
This equipment will provide physical and medical protection to those in the frontlines against the insurgencies. The equipment provided will allow Ukrainians to better detect and track the movement of illicit goods and people. Ukraine has asked for this, and once again we are delivering.
The Putin regime has not provided any indication they are prepared to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity or use their control over Russian-backed agents to end the violence in Ukraine. Canada remains committed to working with its allies and partners to preserve and promote a free, democratic and peaceful world. We stand prepared to continue to apply further economic and political pressure if the Putin regime’s military aggression and provocative actions continue.
Ladies and gentlemen, Canada’s support to the people of Ukraine since the beginning of this crisis would not have been possible without the expertise and the resources of the Canadian Armed Forces. It is thanks to our men and women in uniform that much-needed support and equipment, like the equipment we are sending to Ukraine today, can reach our allies and partners around the world quickly and efficiently, including during crisis. Our government has shown its commitment to the Canadian Armed Forces by ensuring our military members have the best equipment possible to get the job done. Equipment such as the new J model CC-130 Hercules is today’s backbone of military transportation in Canada.
I would like to thank the team at 8 Wing Trenton for all the hard work that went into deploying this equipment. Know that your work and efforts are appreciated by all of us here in Canada and by those in need overseas.
His Excellency Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine Ambassador to Canada: Dear Minister, Members of Parliament, (text in Ukrainian), thank you very much. My family, we are honoured to be here today with you to witness the – as the material generously provided by Canadian Armed Forces will be dispatched for Ukraine for their brothers in arms.
The protective gears and emergency medical kits are needed and anticipated greatly by Ukrainian soldiers. Due to the unilateral limitations imposed by Ukrainian side on the use of heavy weaponry in all densely populated parts of eastern Ukrainian, Ukrainian troop soldiers, the troop soldiers are bearing heavy losses. And this equipment will be able to save them to bring more fathers back to their families and their kids and their sons.
While renewing the control over the border of Ukraine, bringing back the rule of law into liberated cities and towns – sorry. What I wanted to tell that by renewing the control over the border and bringing back the rule of law in liberated and towns and reestablishing the serenity and integrity of our state, each and every soldier who will be equipped with protective gears with maple leaf on it will feel and understand the support and care of their Canadian brothers in arms.
We Ukrainians are grateful to realize for the coordinated efforts of enforcing the border guards and military with the equipment needed so much, and we already heard announced help from United States, Netherlands, Lithuania, other countries. But that’s why I’m here and I’m very grateful to Canada which providing the very fast and real, and I have to tell you the largest by today assistance both in financial and material way.
We will be using this equipment to end war as fast as possible. We will be able to save more lives, both troops and civilians, and even the separatists themselves. We’ll force them to lay down their weapon and get back to the tables of negotiations to end up this crisis which been incited by their Russian masters.
Dear Minister, please rest assured that Ukrainian government will do everything to get the equipment, which will arrive in Ukraine tomorrow, to the fighting troops as fast as possible. Your Embassy in Ukraine is very much welcome to observe the process of delivery and report back to Canadian public the effect it will be making and the impact it will be making on Ukrainian forces and Ukrainian ability to fight for its independence and sovereignty.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank once again to Government of Canada and you personally for the staunch position and support — political, financial, military support — to Ukraine all these years since the beginning. Since the recognition of Ukraine as independent state, Canada was next to Ukraine and we always felt the friendly shoulder of Canada. Starting from these days of revolution of dignity on Maidan in Kyiv, through the very tremendously difficult period of pressures, annexation of Crimea and through this war in our land, which was start with Russia, was their process in the history of Ukraine, we always knew that Canada behind us, Canada is close and that’s one of the allies who we really can rely on. It’s not surprise for me that Canada became after all the second motherland for so many Ukrainians here.
Minister, thank you very much, Members of Parliament. And Canadian Army, thank you very much.
Ihor Kozak, Director of External Relations, League of Ukrainian Canadians: Dear Minister, Members of Parliament, Ambassador, Commander of 8 Wing CFB Trenton, Mayor of Quinte West, distinguished representatives of Ukrainian Canadian community, reverend fathers, ladies and gentlemen, it is indeed a great pleasure without exaggeration and a great honour for me to be here with you today as a proud Canadian, as a proud Ukrainian Canadian and as a very proud member of this family we call the Canadian Forces.
It is especially significant that this event takes place on this base, as this was the very first base to which I was posted 10 years – or 10 years ago after graduating from the Royal Military College of Canada, the base from which I deployed to operational theatres and the base at which I had many pleasant and unique opportunities to host our fellow officers from the Ukrainian armed forces visiting Canada on open skies missions.
Over the past several months, the people of Ukraine have been struggling, have been fighting, and unfortunately, have been dying for the very same values we Canadians cherish so much: freedom, above all, but also democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and simply put, just a better future for their children.
Moreover, recently the MH-17 tragedy clearly showed, demonstrated to the entire world that this Russia-sponsored terrorism is not Ukraine’s or even Europe’s problem alone.
Ladies and gentlemen, since the very beginning, the onset of the Ukrainian crisis, the Government of Canada and Prime Minister Stephen Harper have adopted the most principled position on the issues in the G-7 countries, and with the support of the Parliament of Canada and Canadian society at large, have been steadfast in providing increasing support to Ukraine politically, financially and now with this so much needed nonlethal military lifesaving equipment.
And so I would like to use this opportunity to thank, to express our gratitude on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of my fellow Ukrainian Canadians and millions and millions of our brothers and sisters overseas for this great support, which is needed so much right now, and more importantly, for doing the right things.
We further encourage Canada to stay the course of playing this leadership role in the world of supporting Ukraine and challenging Putin’s regime, that standing up for global peace, stability, security and our Canadian values.
Thank you all. God bless Canada. God bless Ukraine and God bless us all.
Lisa Shymko, President, League of Ukrainian Canadian Women: Minister Nicholson, Metropolitan Kalistchuk, Bishop Chmiliar, Ambassador Prystaiko, Members of Parliament James Bezan and Ted Opitz, representatives of the Canadian Armed Forces, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honour to be at CFB Trenton to participate in today’s announcement and ceremony.
Not since World War II has Europe faced a greater threat to peace and stability than that posed by Russia’s curtain – current military aggression against Ukraine. The fight currently being waged by the Ukrainian people and their defence forces against Russian state-sponsored terrorists is nothing less than a fight to protect our global security and geopolitical stability. It is a fight in defence of the very principles that we Canadians cherish so dearly: human rights, democracy, peace, security and the right of every nation to protect its independence and territorial integrity.
The Government of Canada has stood shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainian people as they aspire to rid themselves of authoritarianism, strengthen their democracy and find their rightful place in the European family of nations.
Together with my Canadians colleagues, we were privileged to join Prime Minister Harper on two historic visits to Ukraine, most recently this past March after the euro Maidan protests. Canada has demonstrated unwavering leadership on the world stage by rallying its G-7 and international partners to take decisive and punitive measures against Russia.
Further preemptive steps must continue to be taken by Canada and its allies to stop the escalation of Russian military aggression.
We have embraced Canada’s efforts to improve the business-enabling environment in Ukraine through the recent trade development mission that was already mentioned taken by Minister Ed Fast. And some of us present here today were participants of that mission.
And just recently, we welcomed intensified levels of sanctions imposed against Russia in the banking and defence sectors.
With over 1,400 people killed and 4,000 injured, the Ukrainian people have paid too high a price for their freedom to see the world simply stand by and hope for the best.
Our joint efforts here today are a testament to the fact that we Canadians believe there is no moral equivalence between terrorists and peacemakers, between aggressors and defenders, between those who invade and those who protect.
And so in addition to the principled actions taken by our Canadian government, in my capacity as Chair of the Canada Ukraine Parliamentary Centre founded by Canadian Friends of Ukraine and of the newly-elected President of the League of Ukrainian Canadian Women, I wish to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of several Canadian institutions and NGOs represented here today, namely: Buduchnist Credit Union, BCU Foundation, the League of Ukrainian Canadians and the International Council in Support of Ukraine, all of whom have been at the forefront of providing humanitarian assistance, medical aid, counselling, social service support to the families of the fallen heroes of Ukraine’s euro Maidan and now the Ukrainian civilians and young military personnel injured by Russian-backed terrorist attacks.
As Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently stated, Canada has a historic track record of standing up to systems of oppression, be it Naziism, communism or present day terrorism. Our presence here today is a testament to the fact that so long as we remain vigilant and stand together with our partners in defence of the values that unite us, the promise of freedom, democracy and security for Ukraine and every other peace-loving nation shall never die.
