Mr. Speaker, one year ago today in the Maidan in Kiev, a peaceful protest was turned into a massacre. Over three days, up to 100 people were shot dead by then-president Yanukovych's security forces. Yanukovych later fled the country and his government collapsed, but that was only the beginning.
Since then, Russia has stoked conflict in the eastern Ukraine. This conflict has claimed more than 5,000 lives. Our government stands firmly behind the people of Ukraine. We have stated clearly, loudly, and often that this conflict will only end when Russia halts its invasion, withdraws its armed forces, and stops supporting these so-called rebels.
This is why we have made significant military contributions to NATO's Ukrainian reassurance measures, why our economic sanctions regime against powerful Russian individuals is the strongest in the world, and why we have announced over $515 million in assistance since the killing of protesters took place over one year ago.
On behalf of my constituents in Etobicoke—Lakeshore, I want to be clear to the Ukrainian people on this anniversary that they have a friend in Canada.