BCU Financial and BCU Foundation Board members proudly supported the annual Rev. John Weir Foote VC, CD Memorial Military Luncheon at the Albany Club in Toronto, ON

This year’s event focused on the war in Ukraine and Canada’s support of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Hon. Erin O’Toole, PC, CD, MP introduced the keynote speaker Lieutenant-Colonel Melanie Lake, CD who commanded the Canadian Armed Forces in Ukraine as part of Operation UNIFIER in 2021. Since 2015, Canada trained over 35,000 Ukrainian soldiers, making significant contribution to their readiness to face russian invaders on the battlefield. LCol Lake eloquently presented not only her personal experience but also her views of the war and importance of continued Canadian support for Ukraine. BCU’s Board Member Ihor Kozak, retired Canadian military officer who, over the years, has been instrumental in supporting Ukrainian Defence Forces, made the concluding remarks, thanking the speakers, supporters and participants of the event, and drawing parallels between Canada’s upcoming Remembrance Day and Ukraine’s heroic struggle.