Chrystia Freeland, the federal minister of finance and deputy prime minister, described the remarks made by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith regarding Russia’s conflict with Ukraine as “frightening.”
“I think it was deeply hurtful to Ukrainian Canadians here in Alberta,” she said Thursday in Edmonton, noting her own Ukrainian-Canadian family living in the province were also hurt by the remarks made by Smith.
Earlier this year, Smith proposed that the only way the war could cease was if Ukraine stayed “neutral” during a livestreamed question-and-answer session on a social media platform.
Before winning the UCP leadership election, she stated in April, “I think neutrality is the only answer for Ukraine.”
“There are thriving nations that have managed with neutrality.
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Tuesday, after attempting to minimise comments about her history, Smith issued an apology for the “ill-informed” remarks.
The premier apologised for his earlier remarks, saying that his understanding and opinion had significantly changed since then.
In second place only behind Ontario, Alberta was home to more than 27% of Canada’s 1.36 million Ukrainian-Canadians.
As for Albertans, Freeland added, “I know that Albertans, perhaps especially folks in northern Alberta, have a profound knowledge of what’s occurring in Ukraine.”
It’s crucial that Canadians and Albertans speak out in support of Ukraine.
Freeland spoke Thursday while in Edmonton for a labour union tour and gave an update on the Canadian economy, predicting a “tough time ahead.”
“Our economy will deteriorate. Some people’s mortgage payments will increase.
Our unemployment rate won’t be at a historic low forever,” she declared.
Despite the fact that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is raising living expenses everywhere, according to Freeland, it is also hastening the global shift to a greener economy.
According to Freeland, Europeans are steadfastly dedicated to quickening the green transition.
“Let’s move as quickly as we can to eliminate our dependence on the petro dictators,” the rest of the world is saying as it looks at Europe, I believe we can all appreciate why.
Russia invaded Ukraine nearly eight months ago and over the last two weeks, Russia has barraged Ukraine’s critical infrastructure with attacks using missiles, self-destructing explosive drones and other weaponry as Russian forces are being forced back on the ground.
On Wednesday, missile strikes and shelling of energy utilities left more Ukrainian villages, towns and parts of two cities without power, according to authorities, tightening an energy squeeze that threatens misery for millions in the winter.
-with materials from The Associated Press and Adam Toy of Global News.
Freeland calls Danielle Smith’s remarks about the Russia-Ukraine conflict “frightening.”
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