Monday February 24, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
There were big-scope statements in the BC Legislative Assembly today about Ukraine and the United States, and BC’s role with regard to both.
Premier David Eby said that BC will always stand with Ukraine, articulating the value of democracy. He also continued his pushback on the US President’s administration which is challenging the economic security and sovereignty of this country.
Ministerial statement in the House:
A statement by the Premier in the BC Legislative Assembly today acknowledged Ukraine on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Eby opened with calling February 22, 2022 “one of the darkest days of modern history”.
“Russia launched an unjustified brutal attack on a peaceful neighbour. The scenes of Russian aggression shocked the conscience of people around the world,” said Eby. Indeed, NATO countries rallied to support Ukraine that needed military weaponry and humanitarian support.
“We also saw scenes of incredible and remarkable bravery including outnumbered soldiers fighting off attackers, unarmed civilians blocking the path of tanks, a woman confronting an armed invader saying ‘put these seeds in your pocket so at least sunflowers will grow when you fall’,” said Eby, clearly taken with the drama that has unfolded in Ukraine over the past three years.
But “Kyiv stands free” said Eby, meanwhile declaring that Russia’s invasion was an “illegal, immoral, and unnecessary war”.
“Russia has failed to conquer Ukraine because of the bravery of the Ukrainian people, their armed forces, and their democratically elected president,” said Eby.
Invictus spirit:
At the Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler February 8 to 16, there were 35 Ukrainian competitors winning 30 medals including 12 Golds. “The Ukrainians are indomitable,” said BC’s premier this afternoon in the House.
Eby delivered a rousing speech with political edge against the United States when he addressed the crowd at the opening of the Invictus Games in Vancouver.
War theme around tariffs:
Likewise on the war theme there is a tariff war emerging in the context of the United States and Canada. “It started in a similar way — with an act of aggression from a more powerful nation,” Eby said this afternoon.
No bullies:
“It’s unacceptable that dictators and bullies attack peaceful neighbours. The free democratic world must uphold Ukraine’s independence, their sovereignty and their territorial integrity. We’re in a very dangerous place indeed if we allow bullies and dictators to run roughshod against democratic and peaceful neighbours.
This is a timely statement with the anti-bullying Pink Shirt Day coming up in a few days.
“Democratic societies like our own offer the greatest opportunities and freedoms for people,” said Eby.
Disinformation and worse:
And there was some new imagery in his speech. “We are increasingly in a topsy-turvy world.”
Eby extolled on how spirited debate used to be based on a shared understanding of basic facts. Now the basic facts become denied even though things can clearly be seen and heard in real-time for what they are. The old tale of ‘The Emperor has no clothes’ tutors that we should truthfully acknowledge what we see.
“Lies and disinformation are the building blocks behind recent statements about Ukraine. The Russian threat is so obvious that Sweden and Finland recently joined NATO after resisting membership for 75 years despite sharing borders with Russia (Sweden officially joined in March 2024 and Finland before that in April 2023).
“Trade and political alliances are shattering and new ones need to be formed. It’s just one example that if tariffs, or worse, from our southern neighbour jeopardizes 200 years of relationship,” said Eby.
Work against a trade war:
“A trade war is obviously the last thing we want. But we will do everything necessary to protect the people and businesses of British Columbia,” said BC’s premier today.
“In these troubled times it is important, more than ever, that free and democratic people stand together. We stand with Ukrainian people against Russian aggression.”
Eby said that BC salutes the bravery and resilience of Ukraine and its people. He concluded with that comment that Ukrainian independence and sovereignty “must be preserved and remain stronger than ever.”.
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NEWS SECTIONS: 43rd BC PARLIAMENT | CANADA-USA | TARIFFS & TRADE | UKRAINE