Pro-Ukraine demonstration in Canada

Thousands of people marched in downtown Toronto on Sunday to protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The event, billed as a "Mega March for Ukraine," began at Yonge-Dundas Square. It was organised by the Toronto branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

Demonstrators marched west on Dundas Street West, then south on Bay Street to Nathan Phillips Square. Speakers addressed thousands of people who gathered in the square.

Chrystia Freeland, Canada's deputy prime minister and a Toronto MP who walked at the front of the march, told the rally that Ukraine needs weapons and ammunition to fend off the Russian invasion.

"The Ukrainians are making such a brave stand but they need weapons to fight this fight," Freeland said.

Freeland said she is proud that the Canadian government donated lethal weapons to Ukraine before the invasion and that Canada and its allies will continue to support the Ukrainian war effort.

"I think all of us today should let the people of Ukraine know, the leaders of Ukraine know, how much we admire them, that we know that they are fighting for all of us. They are fighting for our values. They are fighting for our democracy as well as their own," she said.

"I bow my head to them, to their courage, their resilience, just how smart they are."

James Bezan, a Manitoba MP who also addressed the crowd, said Canadians stand united with Ukraine. He said the invasion could possibly lead to a genocide in Ukraine and the international community needs to play its part to stop the war.

"We need to keep ramping up those sanctions until we break Russia's financial back," he said.

Bezan called on the Canadian government to recall its ambassador in Russia and to expel the Russian ambassador from Canada. He said Russia should be kicked out of the G20 and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, while Russian President Vladimir Putin should be taken to the International Criminal Court in the Hague, Netherlands for war crimes.