BAKERY on North Queen Street defaced in ‘pro-Russian’ graffiti attack. Photo by Tom Godfrey.
A Russian threat of war in Ukraine has led to waves of hate across the seas to now here in Etobicoke.
A North Queen Street bakery, owned by a former Member of Parliament, has been vandalized by what is described as pro-Russian graffiti.
The graffiti on the front wall of Future Bakery was discovered on February 8 around 5:45 a.m. as delivery trucks started arriving.
POLICE are investigating the graffiti attack that the owner says is political by nature.
The bakery’s mural and a #StandWithUkraine banner on display were defaced with derogatory comments, according to police.
Former Liberal MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj, the president of Future Bakery, told reporters he believes the vandalism was meant to intimidate the local Ukrainian community.
“This isn’t just graffiti, nor is it just an act of vandalism,” Wrzesnewskyi said. “This is an attempt to intimidate people. It is a hate crime.”
That Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) said they are outraged by the incident.
“The Ukrainian Canadian community is appalled by the hate crime that targeted a Ukrainian-owned business in Toronto,” they said.
Borys Wrzesnewskyj with PM Trudeau when he held office. Courtesy photo.
A large banner was hung on the outside of the bakery, stating “#StandWithUkraine.”
Phrases in black paint were written on the banner and the wall, including “F— Ukrian (sic) and Canada,” “#Losers,” and “Russia is power,” as well as the word “Russia” in both Russian and English.
Words were also covered on the banner, to create “#Putin.”
“We live in the best country in the world, a free and democratic country,” Wrzesnewskyi said. “I’m blessed to be here as the child and grandchild of refugees from World War II.”
He said his “family knows the consequences of war. It’s time to stand with Ukraine and stop Putin.”
Russia has recently placed more than 130,000 troops along the Ukrainian border.
Wrzesnewskyj, a Liberal, represented the federal riding of Etobicoke Centre in the House of Commons. He held the riding from 2004 to 2011 and again from 2015 to 2019.
He was actively involved in the Canadian delegation to the contested Ukrainian election of 2004, Orange Revolution, and has often spoken to Canadian media on its behalf.