As Canada approaches its federal election on April 28, 2025, the nation finds itself at a critical juncture both domestically and internationally. Prime Minister Mark Carney – who recently succeeded Justin Trudeau – called for this snap election amidst escalating trade tensions with the United States and ongoing global security concerns.
The election’s outcome is poised to influence Canada’s economic stability and its role on the world stage
These developments have significant implications for Canada’s foreign policy, especially considering its substantial Ukrainian-Canadian community and longstanding support for Ukraine’s sovereignty.
As the federal election approaches, Canadians are keenly aware that their votes will shape the nation’s response to these complex international challenges and define Canada’s position on the world stage in the years to come.
In recent weeks, Canada hosted a G7 meeting in Quebec, where global security and the Ukraine conflict were central topics. The G7 nations demonstrated strong solidarity, agreeing on a 30-day unconditional ceasefire and emphasizing the need for firm actions to establish a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine. British diplomacy, in collaboration with Ukrainian and American efforts, played a key role in achieving this significant breakthrough.
Furthermore, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has expressed Canada’s desire to participate in post-war security arrangements for Ukraine. She highlighted Canada’s commitment to contributing to Ukraine’s long-term stability and security, indicating a proactive approach in shaping the post-conflict landscape.
A theatre of the absurd. That is how Dr. Frank Sysyn describes President Trump’s meeting with Zelensky at the oval office earlier this month. The meeting has dispatched into protests amongst Ukranians in Canada, peace-talks, and many citizens wondering where the fate of the Russo-Ukrainian war lies.
Dr. Frank Sysyn is the director of the Center for Ukrainian Historical Research at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto.
“It was clear [at the oval office meeting] that Vice President Vance, who has been very negative towards Ukraine and assistance for Ukraine, was in a way going to play the role of an attack dog in attacking Zelensky.” Dr. Sysyn stated.
Dr. Sysyn elaborated on the perceived absurdity of the meeting, “to criticize the head of a state that has been at war and has had genocidal policies conducted against it of not showing proper respect by coming in military uniform to the Oval Office.”
Canada’s large Ukrainian community, comprising over one million people, share similar sentiments in response. The Ukrainian community in Canada is quite different from that in the US.
“The American-Ukrainian community had, after all, been involved in the electoral process. Many members of that community had traditionally supported the Republicans,” said Dr. Sysyn.
Now, what has been witnessed these last few weeks has been a pivot in Washington and the Trump administration towards wanting to make a deal with Russia, to cut off Ukraine from Europe, and undermine NATO in general.
The meeting resulted in a pause of US military aid to Ukraine. Since this development, Trump and President Putin and this past Tuesday arrived at a limited ceasefire under which Russia will cease bombing critical energy infrastructure in Ukraine for 30 days.
Dr. Sysyn outlined that a division in consensus is present amongst the Ukrainian population in the US which is nearly non-existent in Canada.
“People of Ukrainian extraction in Canada did not have the right to vote. The Canadian government has been a strong backer of Ukraine. All political parties in Canada back Ukraine,” he said.
Furthermore, a major difference between the US and Canada is that the Ukrainian Canadian community, and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) are used to having a seat at the table in Canadian society and government. Unlike in the United States, where Ukrainian American organizations operate in a more decentralized and less politically integrated manner, the UCC has successfully positioned itself as a key stakeholder in shaping Canadian foreign policy, multicultural policies, and diaspora affairs. Since its founding in 1940, the UCC has played a significant role in advocating for Ukrainian interests at both federal and provincial levels, regularly engaging with policymakers and influencing decisions related to immigration, foreign aid, and Canada’s stance on Ukraine-related issues.
“After all Canada wanted to be the first country to recognize independent Ukraine in 1991,” Dr Sysn said.
Overall, for many within the Canadian-Ukrainian community, unwavering support for Ukraine remains a deeply personal and political priority, rooted in both historical experiences and the ongoing war with Russia. On March 2, hundreds of Ukrainian Canadians took to the streets to rally in response to the oval office meeting.
“I didn’t expect one of the biggest allies of Ukraine to just put a knife in the back of Ukraine,” a protestor shared with Global News.
The UCC expressed similar sentiments of anger and dissatisfaction.
“President Donald Trump has enabled Russia to continue to bomb Ukrainian hospitals, schools, critical infrastructure, food depots and ports that export food across the world,” said Alexandra Chyczij, president of the UCC in a statement.
“What I would assume is happening in any Ukrainian Canadian community as with general Canadian society is the image of Donald Trump and those around him has suffered greatly in the past two months, ” Dr. Sysyn said, adding that this would affect how people perceive the Oval Office meeting. “We also see that Europe now understands that it may be left alone and of course the greatest of issues.”
In Canada’s federal election, Dr. Sysyn feels that the viability of NATO and the reliability of the US to hold up its international commitments will be an issue.
“Whatever the outcome of the election, a Canadian government that will be, above all, upholding democratic principles, rights of international courts, opposed in any way aggression or seizure of territory will remain,” he said.
Canada is going to have to fill a larger role in international politics all of a sudden as the US diminishes much of its role.
During his first presidency, Trump was heavily criticized for delaying $391 million in military aid to Ukraine in 2019, a move that was later tied to his efforts to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into investigating his rival Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. This incident contributed to Trump’s first impeachment and cemented doubts about his commitment to Ukraine’s defense. Beyond this, Trump frequently expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, at times downplaying Russia’s geopolitical threats and suggesting that Ukraine’s fate was not a vital U.S. interest. His remarks, coupled with his administration’s erratic approach to foreign policy, fueled fears among the Ukrainian diaspora that a second Trump presidency could lead to a significant reduction—or even a complete withdrawal—of American support for Kyiv.
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