Police investigating hate crime after Ukrainian bakery vandalized in Toronto

Toronto Police says its hate crime unit has opened an investigation after a Ukrainian bakery was vandalized this week.

Investigators believe the act happened sometime between February 7 at 7 p.m. and Tuesday at 5:45 a.m. at the shop located in the North Queen Street and The East Mall area in Etobicoke.

Police say that offensive language was spray-painted on the walls of Future Bakery, some of it reading “Russia is power.”

Investigators are looking to speak with any potential witnesses.

“The Ukrainian Canadian community is appalled by the hate crime that targeted a Ukrainian-owned business in Toronto,” the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) said in a statement.

“Future Bakery, which displayed a #StandWithUkraine banner to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people, was defaced under cover of night by cowards who support Russian president Putin’s kleptocratic, criminal regime.”

The UCC says the phrases “F*ck Ukrian (sic) and Canada” were spray-painted on the sign.

Officials say Borys Wrzesnewskyj, the long-time owner of Future Bakery, is a former member of Canada’s Parliament. The UCC calls Wrzesnewskyj a prominent community activist and leader “who has worked tirelessly for many years on defending those whose human rights have been violated as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”

“We will not be intimidated by cowards who hate our freedoms and our way of life. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress calls on law enforcement to promptly and thoroughly investigate this act of hate against the Ukrainian Canadian community,” stated Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the UCC.

Ford says province “will not tolerate hate”

Premier Doug Ford strongly denounced the vandalism, calling it “absolutely disgraceful.”

“I have been clear: Ontario will not tolerate hate toward any group. I stand with the #Ukrainian community and ask anyone with any information, please notify Toronto Police and Crime Stoppers.”

Etobicoke Centre MP Yvan Baker also strongly condemned those responsible for defacing the bakery.

I condemn the anti???????? hate crime & act of intimidation committed at former MP @BorysWrz's Future Bakery. MP @j_maloney, @AlexChyczij & I visited to support & stand w Borys, the ???????????????? community, our #Etobicoke community & all Canadians. We will not be intimidated. #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/EQ93a6VTw3

— Yvan Baker, MP ???????????????? (@Yvan_Baker) February 8, 2022

Russia has deployed well over 100,000 troops near Ukraine, fueling fears of a possible invasion. The standoff is about the future of Ukraine.

Russia has made several demands to the West over European security, including guaranteeing that Ukraine does not emerge as a member of the West’s defensive military alliance, NATO.

“This craven attack shows the importance of effectively fighting disinformation campaigns led by the Russian state that target Canada, the Ukrainian Canadian and other Central and East European communities,” Chyczij added.