The heads of all four parties condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Thursday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" in the country, which is widely viewed by the West as a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As of this article's writing, Ukraine's health minster said at least 57 people have been killed and 169 wounded as a result of the attack.
The premier struck a warlike tone, while opposition leaders focused on calls for peace.
Doug Ford immediately raised fears of a potential World War III, comparing the invasion to the beginnings of the previous two.
"There are certain dates that will be forever printed in our history books; dates that will be forever etched into our memories," he said. "June 28, 1914; September 1, 1939. We must pray that February 24, 2022 isn’t next."
Ford noted prominent Canadians with Ukrainian heritage like NHL great Wayne Gretzky and late Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek, before pivoting to a darker tone.
"As Putin’s aggression lights up the skies of Kyiv, they will see the strength of the Ukrainian people emerge from the darkness. We must ensure the Ukrainian flag flies high above the skyline. The blue and yellow must be the last colours the invaders see," he said.
New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath called for de-escalation in a speech that focused on the need for peace.
"We will always reject the path of aggression, the path of stoking the flames of division and imperialism for political gain, and the path of threatening world peace by attacking the serenity of others and their democratic right to choose their government," she said.
Horwath was the only leader who made specific calls on the federal government to welcome Ukrainian refugees, commit to helping families reunite and provide humanitarian aid to Ukrainians.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2022/02/24/russia-ukraine-updates-canada-world-february-24.html?source=newsletter&amp;utm_source=ts_nl&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_email=AB16E8A27D80870A2FFBF26F8CCFF9A6&amp;utm_campaign=bn_108351" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sanctions</a> on Russia in concert with the United States in an effort to deter further attacks without military action. His office <a href="https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2022/02/22/canada-announces-support-address-situation-ukraine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> on Tuesday that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRC) is prioritizing helping Canadians get out of Ukraine, and helping Ukrainians "start a new life" in Canada.
Officials from IRC, Global Affairs Canada, the Department of National Defence and the Communications Security Establishment brief media on the situation at 3:30 p.m.
Liberal House leader John Fraser spoke without notes, and compared the situation to the so-called "Freedom Convoy" protests that occupied Ottawa for weeks.
"And we've seen recently in Ontario, Ottawa, something similar to what we're seeing in Ukraine. Not nearly as bad, not nearly as dangerous. But we've seen how hate and anger and division can tear society apart. And make no mistake, what's happening right now in Ukraine is hate and anger and division," he said.
Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca, who is not a sitting MPP and thus couldn't speak in the house, tweeted that he is "proud to stand with and for an independent Ukraine."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
I&#39;m devastated by the news, and horrific images emerging overnight from Vladimir Putin&#39;s invasion. I am proud to stand with and for an independent Ukraine🇺🇦.
&mdash; Steven Del Duca (@StevenDelDuca) <a href="https://twitter.com/StevenDelDuca/status/1496845988581023749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Green Leader Mike Schreiner's speech was last, and most rousing to members, who interrupted him at one point with applause. He spoke passionately against violence, and thanked members for standing firmly with Ukraine.
"Last night, I watched in horror when I saw our neighbours to the south having a debate about which side they were on. So I want to say to the premier, thank you. I want to say to the leader of the Official Opposition, thank you. I to say thank you to the house leader of the Liberals, that in this house, in this province, we stand united for democracy. Democracy must always trump authoritarianism, Speaker," he said, taking a pause while members applauded.
"We may have our differences in this house, and we've had a lot of back and forth. But the one thing we stand united for as Ontarians is our respect for democracy, our respect for international order and our respect for peace."

Ontario party leaders condemn Russian invasion of Ukraine

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