Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska, are visiting Canada this week, and their itinerary includes a stop in North Bay. Zelenskyy landed in Calgary on Wednesday evening and will meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday morning. Zelenskyy is to later address a cabinet meeting in the nearby mountain resort town of Banff, Alta. Carney’s office confirmed to CTV News that the prime minister won’t be joining the Ukrainian president in North Bay. While no details of the visit have been released, the city’s Jack Garland Airport is where as many as 80 jet fighter pilots from Ukraine are being trained by the International Test Pilots School. ITPS Canada has a contract with the Government of Canada to train the pilots as part of its support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. The training began in July. While the schedule for the North Bay visit has not been released, Zelenskyy is leaving Canada on Friday. The visit is of particular importance to Kim Kazur of Kirkland Lake, whose son, Aidan, is currently fighting at the Russia-Ukraine border. Aidan is the only foreigner in an elite Ukrainian unit -- the 3rd Army Corps in the Separate Reconnaissance Battalion. “For (Zelenskyy) to come to northern Ontario, which really were a speck on the map of the world, is a really big deal,” Kazur said. ‘Keep my son safe’ “And on a personal note, I feel like I have put all my faith in him to keep my son safe. I know that’s a big statement ... They’re doing really good things to protect their culture and their country.” In a statement from her office, Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Pauline Rochefort said the visit shows the deep ties between the two nations. “The visit of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to North Bay highlights the strong ties that have developed between the city and Ukrainians who have made North Bay their home,” the statement said. “In recent years, our residents and organizations have welcomed newcomers from Ukraine and supported efforts to assist those affected by the war. The occasion also reflects Canada’s ongoing support for Ukraine and the enduring connections between Canadians and Ukrainians.”
