I've seen Ukraine's scars. As a Canadian veteran, military spending will decide my vote

This First Person article is the experience of Andriy Tovstiuk, a Ukrainian Canadian veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces living in Edmonton. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ. 

In March 2023, I returned to Ukraine for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion began a year earlier. When I was there with Operation Unifier in 2019 and 2020, I wore the uniform of the Canadian Armed Forces and was there to help train Ukrainian soldiers.

This time, I was back as a professor, teaching strategic marketing to Ukrainian IT professionals in a master's program. As a Ukrainian Canadian born and raised in Edmonton, I've always cherished trips back to the land of my ancestors.

But stepping off of the train once I arrived in the country, I realized nothing about this place would be the same.

The streets of Vasylkiv, where I once jogged through quiet neighbourhoods, now bore the scars of a full-scale war many thought would never happen. Abandoned vehicle checkpoints draped in camouflage netting lined my old route, frozen reminders of those early days of the invasion.

I met up with old friends who had stayed behind. Their stories were difficult to take in — constant air raids, chaotic evacuations and mobilizations, and the heartbreaking sight of their favourite cafes and restaurants turned to rubble.

One Ukrainian soldier I had trained with told me how he'd spent those first weeks pinned down at his base, dodging fire each time he ventured out to rescue the wounded. 

It was a story of resilience, but also a sobering reminder of all this war has stolen from so many. It stirred a much deeper awareness of the kinds of dangers we've long been shielded from in Canada — and the reasons why.

During this election campaign, I'm paying close attention to our political leaders to understand what they stand for and what actions they're truly prepared to take when it comes to defence. 

Canada has always been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine. But as a veteran, I can't ignore the uncomfortable truth that our military's capacity to help is constrained.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, Canada's contribution of military hardware has been limited. By percentage of GDP, our aid ranks well below many of our allies.

I don't think it's because we care less. But after decades of underfunding, the reality is our military simply doesn't have much more equipment to give. 

During my time in uniform, I always had what I needed to do my job. But it's hard to ignore news headlines about recruitment and retention challenges, or Canada's ongoing inability to meet NATO's two per cent defence spending target.

We've always stood alongside trusted allies who helped ensure our security. But as the global geopolitical landscape evolves, it's only prudent that we take greater responsibility for our own defence.

Freedom isn't free

After leaving Vasylkiv, I travelled to Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv now emblematic of both unimaginable horror and unwavering defiance. 

Driving down Yablunska Street, where Russian forces had executed innocent civilians just months earlier, brought back the horrific images I'd seen in the news following the town's liberation — scenes that had outraged the entire world.

What struck me most was how raw it still felt. Charred vehicles sat piled on the roadside. Trenches, hastily dug, were now half-collapsed. A mass grave at the heart of town had been covered with turf in an unsettling reminder of how recent the brutality was. 

Standing there, I found myself asking: How does a nation that has endured such profound loss continue to stand — and what can it teach Canadians about our own duty to defend democracy? 

That question stayed with me as I returned to the classroom in Lviv, teaching students whose lives had been upended by war in one way or another. Many had loved ones fighting on the front lines and yet they still showed up, eager to learn, determined to rebuild their country. Their strength was both humbling and inspiring. 

What I've learned in Ukraine is clear: freedom isn't free. It requires sacrifice, readiness and the determination to defend it. 

I believe Canada's next federal government must boost defence spending to at least two per cent of GDP— ideally, three per cent — while strengthening our own defence industry and securing Arctic sovereignty.

So far, the federal Liberals, NDP, Conservatives and Bloc Québécois have all committed to the two per cent spending target on different timelines, while the Greens have not. When deciding my vote, I'll be looking at how quickly action can be taken, how much funding is committed and each party's track record in delivering on similar promises.

Looking abroad, I believe Canada must also simultaneously support Ukraine's defence by boosting military aid, sustaining economic assistance, collaborating with allies to transfer frozen Russian assets and supporting Ukraine's path to NATO membership. Their fight is our fight. 

LISTEN | Andriy Tovstiuk on the election and support for the military: 

Radio Active8:06Military spending a top election issue for this veteran

With the federal election underway, we're talking to folks across the province about their top election issues. Andriy Tovstiuk lives in Edmonton and is veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces. 

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy once told his Parliament that wherever people see the blue and yellow flag, they know it stands for freedom — and for a people who refuse to give up. Those words stay with me.

They also make me ask: when the world sees the maple leaf, what values do we want it to represent? And more importantly, are our leaders truly prepared to stand behind those values with the conviction and action needed to defend them?

What's the one issue that matters the most to you in this federal election? CBC News will publish a range of perspectives from voters who share the personal experience shaping their choice at the ballot box. Read more First Person columns related to the election here.