'My wife and daughter are in safety': Dozens of Ukrainian refugees welcomed in Saskatoon
Dozens of Ukrainian refugees received a warm welcome from the Saskatoon Ukrainian community during rally at River Landing on Sunday.
Organizers said many have left behind their husbands, fathers and sons who are fighting on the frontlines of the war in their country.
Victor Filipov was able to make it out of the country with his wife Ulia and his two-year-old daughter.
“I feel that my wife and daughter are in safety,” Filipov said. “We’re very happy to be in Canada because we are making our new life.”
The three fled Mariupol for the nearby country of Georgia before arriving in Canada on April 28.
“When we leave Maripol, a lot of houses demolished, no school, hospitals, no energy, water, heating. All this destruction by Russian soldiers,” he said.
The Stand With Ukraine Rally drew in roughly 200 people, who showed their solidarity with the country facing Russian aggression.
One of those in attendance was Max Palichuk, who left Ukraine in 2008 but still has many family and friends back home.
“It’s pretty tough to wake up every morning and see if they’re online, if they answer your texts, whatsoever so it’s very important to me that we bring as much attention to Ukraine as possible,” he said.
The demonstration was one of many put on across the country by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.
“We’re looking for the government to send heavy armaments to Ukraine and for NATO to stand up to Russia,” said Ukrainian Canadian Congress Saskatoon branch Vice President Pat Tymchatyn.
While many people at the rally have family and friends back in Ukraine, Tymchatyn sees the rally as a chance to bring people together and celebrate Ukrainian Culture.
“The more we’re together, the more we feel community support,” she said.
Several people who attended the rally wore a traditional Ukrainian shirt called a Vyshyvanka. Ukrainians will be celebrating Vyshyvanka Day on Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.