The Township of Lake of Bays has added its voice to the multitude of municipalities that have expressed condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
At its March 8 meeting, Lake of Bays council passed a resolution noting that “council is disturbed by this deplorable, brutal act of aggression and deeply troubled at the horrific scenes coming out of Ukraine… hardship, bombing, families seeking refuge in bomb shelters, subways and nearby countries, now, therefore, be it resolved that our support, thoughts and prayers go out to the sovereign country of Ukraine and those Lake of Bays families and friends of Ukraine descent,” read Lake of Bays Mayor Terry Glover at the council meeting.
The resolution added that the council of the Township of Lake of Bays supports the provincial government’s humanitarian aid to Ukraine and the government of Canada’s economic sanctions imposed on Russia and the “lethal, non-lethal and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.”
It also states that the Township supports both the provincial and federal governments of Canada “to assist and welcome those fleeing the war into our country.”
In its resolution, council instructed staff to send a copy of the resolution to the premier of Ontario, the prime minister of Canada, MP Scott Aitchison, MPP Norm Miller, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
“I absolutely support this,” said Councillor Nancy Tapley. “I think we have to do everything we can, everyone, to support… the Ukrainians in this horrible situation… it’s just unbelievable.”
Deputy Mayor Bob Lacroix said he 100 per cent supported the resolution. “It’s deplorable what Russia is doing to the Ukrainian people and we should be doing everything in our power that we can. This isn’t much but it’s something and I really appreciate the effort.”
Glover said “it’s surprising to me that we would have something considered a federal, national issue on our municipal table to discuss but in seeing resolutions but forward by other towns I was compelled to have something put on the agenda just to kind of express [something]… with regards to our feelings because coming through the last period of time it’s been upsetting enough and then to have to have something ridiculous like this is very upsetting,” said the mayor.
Councillors further discussed the symbolic gestures they could use to express support for the country of Ukraine. Councillor Jacqueline Godard said she had brought paints to the meeting in order to paint something on the snow and invited other councillors to join her and suggested a drone photo could be taken.
Councillor Michael Peppard wondered whether a Ukrainian flag could be added to the Township’s electronic sign.
Councillor Tapley said she liked both ideas but wanted to see something a little more permanent like a flag of Ukraine added to the flagpole outside of the Township office.
Township staff noted that there is a flag etiquette that frowns on flying more than one flag on a pole.
In the end, council left the flag up to municipal staff to figure. They also agreed to meet to take a photo of a flag of Ukraine, or other related symbolism painted on the snow.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox so you don’t miss anything!
Click here to support local news
Is there at this time, any efforts going on to collect items of need, supplies etc to ship to Ukraine ?
Rick Thomas