Canada Day means something different for everyone.
For Ukrainians who were able to flee from Russia's invasion into the country, Canada has become a safe haven.
Celebrating their first Canada Day are Mariia Lysak, her daughter, Alisa, her brother, Viacheslav Borovyk, and his wife, Dariia Dr yhailo, who have been living in North Bay for more than a month now.
"We decided that must leave. We took a train, a car and walked. We stayed at the Poland border nearly 11 hours in the night and it was snowing and cold. I don't know how we did it," recalled Mariia.
The two families are from a small village in the northeast of Ukraine called Opishnya.
"Every day it gets more and more worse. Now women are getting into the war," explained Dariia. "Our president wrote some of the commands and soon women will be soldiers."
As thousands of Ukrainians fled to the west towards Ukraine-Poland border when Russian forces advanced, humanitarian aid worker John Best was there setting up an emergency field hospital in Ukraine. Best was there for Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian charity organization.
"I got a bird's eye view of the struggle that is going on," said Best. "I see the people. I see the emotional drama that's happening."
When that work ended, he was set to fly back when he met a Ukrainian family moving to Meaford, Ontario. They told him about a social media page helping Ukrainians escape, called “Canada - Host Ukrainians”.
When he got home, Best and his wife knew they wanted to shelter refugees looking for a more rural life. He met Mariia online and then about just over a week later, picked them up at Pearson International Airport and brought them to his home, saying that's what Canadians do.
"We are a hospitable country. Let's extend a hand to those who are reaching out that need a hand," he said. "That's who we are. That's who I am."
As Canadians dress in red and white and celebrate their native country Friday, Ukrainian refugees in Canada like Dariia and her extended family are celebrating in their own way, saying to them Canada represents freedom, happiness and safety.
The two families are hoping the conflict ends soon as they want to eventually return home.
While the future is unknown, for they're happy to be in a country free from war.
"It's so important and I think Canada can be the country of the future," she smiled. "Here is a such a safe territory," concluded Dariia
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'We've been abandoned': Man dies in B.C. town waiting for health care near ambulance station
For the second time in less than a month, a resident of Ashcroft, B.C., died while waiting for health care after having a heat attack mere metres from a local ambulance station.
'I have to fight for myself': Quadriplegic man says N.S. government told him to live in a hospital
A diving accident at 14-years-old left Brian Parker paralyzed from the chest down. Now at age 49, he's without the person who was caring for him full-time until just last week, after his 68-year-old mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Canadian home sales fall for 5th month in a row, down 29 per cent from last July
Canada's average resale home price fell 4.5% from a year ago in July and was down 5.4% on the month as buyers continued to sit on the sidelines amid rising borrowing costs.
Wet'suwet'en pipeline protest expected to block Vancouver traffic
A large rally planned in Vancouver to protest the Coastal GasLink pipeline in northern B.C. may block traffic Monday morning.
New COVID-19 booster targeting Omicron, original variants approved in U.K.
British drug regulators have become the first in the world to authorize an updated version of Moderna's coronavirus vaccine that aims to protect against the original virus and the omicron variant.
Thousands of Afghans who helped Canada trapped in Afghanistan, struggling to leave
Canadian MPs and veteran groups are urging ministers to do more to help thousands of Afghans who assisted Canadian Forces, but remain trapped in Afghanistan a year after the Taliban seized Kabul.
Pfizer CEO tests positive for COVID-19, has mild symptoms
The top executive at Pfizer, a leading producer of COVID-19 vaccines, has tested positive for the virus and says he is experiencing very mild symptoms.
Prince Harry, Meghan to visit U.K., Germany next month
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will visit the U.K. next month for the first time since they returned for Queen Elizabeth II 's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Padma Lakshmi 'worried and wordless' over attack on ex-husband Salman Rushdie
Padma Lakshmi is supporting her ex-husband Salman Rushdie in his recovery. The 'Top Chef' star tweeted Sunday that she is 'relieved' Rushdie is 'pulling through after Friday's nightmare' in which he was stabbed multiple times while on stage in New York.
Barrie
-
Victim's identity revealed in deadly Blue Mountains cycling collision
Police released the identity of a man who died while riding his bike along Scenic Caves Road last week in The Blue Mountains.
-
Search ends for missing Midland boy
Officers with the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment had requested help from the public to find the First Nations boy after he left his Galloway Boulevard home on foot Sunday night and failed to return.
-
Parry Sound family shares its heartache after tragic loss of son during camping trip
Everett Freeman, 9, went camping with his family on Huckleberry Island in Georgian Bay, and went missing around 3 p.m. on Friday.
Toronto
-
Toronto boy with rare genetic disorder begins treatment after family raises US$3 million
A Toronto family’s heart-wrenching journey to find a cure for their son’s ultra-rare disease has reached a new milestone.
-
Famous musician touched by stranger's act of kindness while visiting Toronto
A famous frontman was the recipient of an act of kindness while trying to rent a bike in Toronto Monday.
-
Daycares have two weeks left to opt into $10 a day program. Here is where things stand
About 60 per cent of Toronto’s non-profit childcare centres have opted into the federal government’s $10 a day program ahead of a Sept. 1 deadline but the uptake among for-profit centres has lagged behind.
Ottawa
-
Ford expanding 'strong mayor' powers to more cities
Addressing municipal leaders in Ottawa this morning, on the first full day of events at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference, Premier Doug Ford said the 'strong mayor' powers he initially said would be granted to the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa will be expanded to other municipalities.
-
Camp Day donation box stolen from eastern Ontario Tim Hortons
Gananoque, Ont. police are on the lookout after they say a Camp Day donation box was stolen from a local Tim Hortons.
-
Meet the candidates for mayor and councillor in the city of Ottawa election
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at the candidates for mayor and councillor currently registered to run in the city of Ottawa's 2022 election.
Kitchener
-
University students displaced by fire in Waterloo
With only a few weeks before classes begin, multiple students have been displaced after flames ripped through a house Sunday morning. Occupants were home at the time and were alerted by a quick-thinking bylaw officer.
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING | Roads closed after serious collision near Palmerston, Ont.
Police have shut down roads surrounding the intersection of Perth Road 140 and Line 91 just outside Palmerston, Ont. after what they’re calling a “serious collision.”
-
Waterloo region family mourns nine-year-old who died on camping trip
A family that recently moved from Waterloo Region is remembering the life of their nine-year-old boy after the search for him came to a tragic end.
London
-
'Broken collarbone and road rash': London cyclist describes alleged hit and run
In serious pain, Randy Van Puyenbroeck had trouble sleeping. He was cycling with a group of members from the London Cycling Club on White Oak Road Sunday morning when he and a fellow rider were involved in a crash with a truck.
-
Flood victims ban together to demand action in Sarnia, Ont.
Eleven days after storm and wastewater flooded the home of Stephanie Lammers debris is still piled by her curb.
-
Woodstock, Ont. doctor wanted on child pornography charges arrested
A Woodstock, Ont. doctor wanted for several child pornography related offences has been arrested.
Windsor
-
UWindsor projects aims to get kids wheelchairs faster
University of Windsor engineering students have been working with the John McGivney Children’s Centre to help improve the wheelchair seating manufacturing process.
-
'Scrap the App': border chambers ask government to end ArriveCan
A coalition of Chambers of Commerce representing border communities across the country is calling on the federal government to suspend use of the ArriveCAN app.
-
Canadian home sales fall for 5th month in a row, down 29 per cent from last July
Canada's average resale home price fell 4.5% from a year ago in July and was down 5.4% on the month as buyers continued to sit on the sidelines amid rising borrowing costs.
Montreal
-
Quebec launches another COVID-19 vaccination campaign for seniors
Quebec health authorities are launching another COVID-19 booster vaccination campaign.
-
CEGEP back-to-school season marked by shortage of teachers, support staff
With one week to go before the start of the new school year, the CSQ is concerned that some CEGEPs will be unable to offer certain services and even some courses due to a lack of staff.
-
Quebec's public finances are good despite a climate of 'very high uncertainty': AG
Quebec's public finances are in order as the Oct. 3 election approaches, but nothing should be taken for granted due to prevailing economic uncertainty, according to the auditor general.
Atlantic
-
One dead after vehicle crashes, catches fire in Dartmouth: police
A person has died after police say a vehicle crashed and caught fire in Dartmouth Monday morning.
-
Nova Scotia firefighters head to Newfoundland and Labrador to battle wildfires
A group of Nova Scotians is being sent to fight wildfires burning in central Newfoundland.
-
'I have to fight for myself': Quadriplegic man says N.S. government told him to live in a hospital
A diving accident at 14-years-old left Brian Parker paralyzed from the chest down. Now at age 49, he's without the person who was caring for him full-time until just last week, after his 68-year-old mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Winnipeg
-
Anita Neville named new lieutenant-governor of Manitoba
Former Liberal member of Parliament Anita Neville has been named Manitoba's next lieutenant-governor.
-
The current status of construction along the Perimeter Highway
Government officials toured the ongoing construction happening on the South Perimeter Highway at St. Mary's Monday morning.
-
Boil water advisory in place for part of Brandon following water main break
City crews in Brandon have found a water main break that was causing low-pressure problems for a large part of the city. However, a portion of the city is now under a boil water advisory until the problem is completely fixed.
Calgary
-
Alberta looks to poach skilled workers from Vancouver, Toronto
The government of Alberta is looking to draw skilled workers from Toronto and Vancouver to the province and launched its recruitment campaign Monday morning.
-
Trailer released for Tegan and Sara's new show 'High School'
The show is based on their 2019 memoir of the same name, in which Tegan and Sara Quinn reflect on their time as teens in Calgary in the 90s.
-
Calgary Flames hiring organist after Willy Joosen's passing
For the first time in decades, the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation is looking to hire a new organist for Flames games.
Edmonton
-
Canadian home sales fall for 5th month in a row, down 29 per cent from last July
Canada's average resale home price fell 4.5% from a year ago in July and was down 5.4% on the month as buyers continued to sit on the sidelines amid rising borrowing costs.
-
'We've been abandoned': Man dies in B.C. town waiting for health care near ambulance station
For the second time in less than a month, a resident of Ashcroft, B.C., died while waiting for health care after having a heat attack mere metres from a local ambulance station.
-
New COVID-19 booster targeting Omicron, original variants approved in U.K.
British drug regulators have become the first in the world to authorize an updated version of Moderna's coronavirus vaccine that aims to protect against the original virus and the omicron variant.
Vancouver
-
Wet'suwet'en pipeline protest expected to block Vancouver traffic
A large rally planned in Vancouver to protest the Coastal GasLink pipeline in northern B.C. may block traffic Monday morning.
-
'We've been abandoned': Man dies in B.C. town waiting for health care near ambulance station
For the second time in less than a month, a resident of Ashcroft, B.C., died while waiting for health care after having a heat attack mere metres from a local ambulance station.
-
Strike action: B.C.'s largest public sector union to picket BC Liquor Store warehouses
A union representing tens of thousands of government workers says it will begin job action Monday.