Vladimir Putin's sudden, unprovoked and brutal launching of a war on Ukraine is an atrocity happening in real time. Putin has expressed that he believes the Ukraine is "historically Russian territory" - and he has backed his words with armed military assault across the length and breadth of the nation. (1,2)
While the world reels and looks for ways to sanction Russia, Ukrainians are suffering and dying in their homes.
Canada must lead the way in offering solace and safety to the persecuted innocents of Ukraine. We must immediately create a priority path to refugee status for all Ukrainians impacted by the war criminal Putin's aggression, and waive all fees to entry.
Canada has created priority refugee paths before for those affected by violence (3). We must do so again, for all Ukrainians whose lives have been upended by hostile invasion.
Canada can and must lead by example. While the world looks for ways to bring peace and security back to Europe, Canada can offer our own peace and security to the Ukrainians who have just had it ripped away at the point of a bayonet.
Prime Minister Trudeau: lead by example and expedite a fee-free, priority path for Ukrainian refugees immediately.
Sources:
1.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/putin-russia-ukraine-history-speech-rcna17132
2.
https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-russia-vladimir-putin-moscow-66891d68fe3d51fbed4b1758cc49d501
3.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/afghanistan/afghans-canada/priority-processing.html
