Mr. President, First Lady Zelenska, Prime Minister Trudeau, Speaker Rota, hon. parliamentarians, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, hello.
Mr. President, it is a great honour and a real privilege for me to thank you for your very powerful and very inspiring words. We are all honoured to have you here.
The last time you addressed this Parliament, just a few weeks after Russia's full-scale invasion of your country, you urged us to imagine how the Ukrainian people were feeling, imagine what it is like to be bombed and invaded without provocation, imagine what it felt like to grasp the significance of the invasion. Russia was attacking not only Ukraine's territory, but its very sovereignty.
Mr. President, I can safely say that we heard you. Your words resonated in the chambers of our Parliament, in our committee rooms and our offices, and in the four corners of our country.
Shortly after I became Speaker of the Senate of Canada, I was asked about the importance of role models, and I expressed my belief that, if you see it, you can be it. Mr. President, a new generation is seeing you. Having worked with young people in the field of education for over 35 years, and as a mother of two male adult children, I am heartened by the model you are showing. Young people around the world are seeing that a democratically elected voice is the real form of power.
Mr. President, for more than 18 months, you have been a symbol of leadership to the people and a source of inspiration to the world. Whether speaking from a bunker or a podium, in a meeting room or on the front lines, you have never given up, never wavered or hesitated. You embody the spirit and resilience of the Ukrainian people.
I am surely not the first to mention this, but who could possibly forget February 25, 2022? You were standing in the centre of Kyiv, the main target of the Russian invaders. It was one of the most perilous and uncertain moments of the war, and you delivered a powerful message when you said, “We are here”.
Your people have carried forward this resolve at Hostomel, at Kharkiv and beyond. While we draw inspiration from their stories, we also recognize the realities Ukrainians have faced, including withstanding thousands of artillery rounds every day; grieving the unrelenting loss of family, loved ones, colleagues and neighbours; patiently working through treacherous mine fields while drones circle overhead; defending against waves of attacks on civilian infrastructure; and taking steps where and when they can to recover and rebuild.
Mr. President, your people's resilience in the face of such aggression compels the international community, in your now famous words, to be here for Ukraine, however long it takes. Our message today, which you can bring back to your people, is equally clear: The Canadian people stand with Ukraine. We are not going anywhere.
On behalf of all the senators, all the MPs in the House of Commons and, of course, all Canadians, I want to thank you for your courage, your determination and the inspiring words you have shared with Canadians and people the world over today.
Slava Ukraini.