Madam Speaker, it goes without saying that the Bloc Québécois supports the principle of Bill S-210, which seeks to designate September as Ukrainian heritage month. By supporting this bill, we want to recognize the role that the Ukrainian community plays in Quebec society and reaffirm our commitment to supporting the efforts of the individuals and families who settle in Quebec, learn French, discover our culture and demonstrate courage and resilience as they integrate into our society.
Historically, the Ukrainian diaspora in Canada, which is the second largest in the world with approximately 1.3 million Ukrainian people, was mainly settled in the Prairie provinces. However, it should be noted that ties between Quebec and Ukraine are based on a long history of migration, vibrant communities and solidarity between free peoples, which has only grown stronger since the war.
Ukrainian Quebeckers have long formed a community with a unique cultural heritage, as evidenced by its vibrant social fabric. This can be seen, for example, in the work of organizations such as the Alliance des Ukrainiens de Québec, which preserves and enriches the community's cultural heritage and helps to forge strong ties between Ukrainian identity and Quebec identity.
In response to the European migrant crisis caused by Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Quebec mobilized to welcome and support displaced Ukrainians. Quebec has welcomed thousands of Ukrainian nationals who are benefiting from special temporary immigration status, the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel, and specific assistance measures.
We need to recognize that the Ukrainians welcomed into our country face several challenges, such as the cost of living, credential recognition, integrating their children into the school system, and learning French, which some manage to do in just a few months, demonstrating their commitment and courage.
The debate on Bill S-210 should be an opportunity for us to remember our duty of solidarity as a host society toward all Ukrainian nationals who have been welcomed since 2022. In addition to welcoming displaced persons at the international level, Quebec has provided direct international assistance through organizations working in the areas of health, education, and culture. Since 2022, Quebec has participated in supporting educational continuity in Ukraine through the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to ensure the continuity of educational services for Ukrainian pupils and students after thousands of schools were destroyed by the war.
Since 2022, the Ukrainian flag has flown on the third tower of the Quebec National Assembly as a symbol of solidarity with the Ukrainian people. On February 20, 2025, the Quebec National Assembly unanimously passed a motion recalling Quebec's ongoing commitment toward Ukraine and its people, reaffirming its engagement to respect Ukraine's territorial integrity, supporting the reinforcement of international efforts for Ukraine's reconstruction, and expressing its solidarity with the Ukrainian people and Quebeckers of Ukrainian origin.
Since 2022, the Bloc Québécois has been suggesting possible solutions to the federal government to facilitate the process of issuing or renewing visas for Ukrainians. We always support concrete measures to help protect Ukrainian refugees and displaced persons. The Bloc Québécois was also deeply honoured to attend the reception for the President of Ukraine on September 22, 2023. We fondly remember the president's speech to the House, particularly the care he took to thank the House in French.
In closing, the Bloc Québécois solemnly affirms its solidarity with the Ukrainian people and with Quebeckers of Ukrainian origin and their families. We believe in peace and freedom for Ukraine and in the right of Ukrainians to exist as a nation.