Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - March 2, 2022, Winnipeg, Manitoba <§> PAGE A1 The Free Press FOR MANITOBA. FOR 150 YEARS. FOREVER WITH YOUR SUPPORT. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2022 SERVING WINNIPEG AND THE WEST SINCE 1872 U.S. president delivers first state of union address as Kyiv under fire Freedom will triumph over tyranny: Biden ZEKE MILLER AND COLLEEN LONG WASHINGTON — Addressing a concerned nation and anxious world, U.S. President Joe Biden vowed in his first State of the Union address Tuesday night to check Russian aggression in Ukraine, tame soaring U.S. inflation and deal with the fading but still dangerous coronavirus. Biden declared that he and all members of Congress, whatever their political differences, are joined “with an unwavering resolve that freedom will always triumph over tyranny.” He asked the lawmakers crowding the House chamber to stand and salute the Ukrainians as he began his speech. They stood and cheered. It was a notable show of unity after a long year of bitter acrimony between Biden’s Democratic coalition and the Republican opposition. Biden’s 62-minute speech, which was split between attention to war abroad and worries at home — reflected the same balancing act he now faces in his presidency. He must marshal allied resolve against Russia’s aggression while tending to inflation, COVID-19 fatigue and sagging approval ratings heading into the midterm elections. Biden highlighted the bravery of Ukrainian defenders and the commitment of a newly reinvigorated Western alliance that has worked to rearm the Ukrainian military and cripple Russia’s economy through sanctions. He warned of costs to the American economy, as well, but warned ominously that without consequences, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression wouldn’t be contained to Ukraine. “Throughout our history we’ve learned this lesson — when dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos,” Biden said. “They keep moving. And, the costs and threats to America and the world keep rising.” As Biden spoke, Russian forces were escalating their attacks in Ukraine, having bombarded the central square of the country’s second-biggest city and Kyiv’s main TV tower, killing at least five people. The Babi Yar Holocaust memorial was also damaged. Biden announced that the U.S. is following Canada and the European Union in banning Russian planes from its airspace in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine. He also said the Justice Department was launching a task force to go after crimes of Russian oligarchs, whom he called “corrupt leaders who have bilked billions of dollars off this violent regime.” “We are coming for your ill-begotten gains,” he said, pledging that the U.S. and European allies were coming after their yachts, luxury apartments and private jets. “Putin may circle Kyiv with tanks, but he will never gain the hearts and souls of the Ukrainian people,” Biden said. “He will never extinguish their love of freedom. He will never weaken the resolve of the free world.” Even before the Russian invasion sent energy costs skyrocketing, prices for American families had been rising, and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hurt families and the country’s economy. Biden outlined plans to address inflation by reinvesting in American manufacturing capacity, speeding supply chains and reducing the burden of child care and elder care on workers. “Too many families are struggling to keep up with the bills,” Biden said. “Inflation is robbing them of the gains they might otherwise feel. I get it. That’s why my top priority is getting prices under control.” Biden entered the House chamber without a mask, in a reflection of the declining coronavirus case counts and new federal guidance meant to nudge the public back to pre-pandemic activities. But the Capitol was newly fenced due to security concerns after last year’s insurrection. Set against disquiet at home and danger abroad, the White House had conceived Tuesday night’s speech as an opportunity to highlight the improving coronavirus outlook, rebrand Biden’s domestic policy priorities and show a path to lower costs for families grappling with soaring inflation. But it took on new significance with last week’s Russian invasion of Ukraine and nuclear sabre-rattling by Putin. • BIDEN, CONTINUED ON A2 City looks at waiving rent for desperate downtown businesses JOYANNE PURSAGA BEFORE COVID-19 forced many office workers to stay home, Brad Park’s sushi restaurant beneath Portage and Main sold meals to a bustling crowd every lunch break. About two years into the pandemic, just a fraction of the original customer base has returned to the underground concourse and Park no longer expects Seoul Nami Sushi to fully recover. “For me, it’s all really unlucky because I purchased the business right before COVID and I had five, six normal months and then COVID^ I don’t really see (a) future here in downtown,” said Park. While restaurants at street level could more easily add takeout options through delivery services, he said scarce parking made quick pickups impractical for outlets in the tunnel system below the busy intersection. “Since COVID, it’s really hard for everybody^ All (our) customer (base is) office people but they are now working at home so, after COVID, it’s really hard to stay open,” said Park. The harsh reality of years of pandemic losses could lead city council to waive rental fees for some affected businesses. Under a new proposal, the city would waive six months of rent for eight retail businesses that rent space from the city, six of which are located in the underground concourse at 365 Main St. Another eligible business is based in the skywalk system, while the final one is located in the Cindy Klassen Recreation Complex. If council approves, the rent break would last from February to July 2022; refunds would be issued for amounts already paid. Park, whose business is included, welcomed the assistance. The city proposal also calls to reduce the lease termination notice required for his restaurant from 275 to 30 days, since he is trying to sell it. Julia Ryu, whose nearby Lotto Spot! kiosk would also be eligible for the rent break, said she has about 30 per cent of the customers she did before the pandemic. • DOWNTOWN, CONTINUED ON A2 PHOTOS BY JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus sings the Ukrainian national anthem before Tuesday's Winnipeg Jets game at Canada Life Centre. The group received a prolonged standing ovation. 'Ukraine's glory has not yet died,' choir belts out TAYLOR ALLEN THEY sang their hearts out for Ukraine. Members of the Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus are no strangers to singing the national anthem at Jets games, but their latest performance — Tuesday’s contest against the Montreal Canadiens — was without question, the most emotional and meaningful of all of their trips to the downtown rink. “In terms of meaningful performances for me, this is at the top of the list,” said Markian McColl, 32, a member of Hoosli for nearly a decade. It was the eighth time the group from Prosvita Hall on Pritchard Avenue sang in front of Jets faithful, but this time, they opened with the Ukrainian national anthem, which starts with the proclamation: “Ukraine’s glory has not yet died, nor her freedom.” The country’s colours of blue and yellow were projected onto the ice and at least a dozen Ukrainian flags were held up with pride by fans in the stands. Before they could get into O Canada, the group received one of the longest and loudest standing ova- tions to have ever taken place at the home of the Jets. “Seeing people out there in blue and yellow, having the Canada Life Centre put the blue and yellow on the ice and allow us to sing our national anthem in a time of crisis, I started tearing up out there. It means a lot to me and I know it means a lot to the guys and the Ukrainian community as well to be heard and supported. It was just a phenomenal feeling,” McColl said. True North reached out to Hoosli last week about performing. Hoosli accepted, but asked if they could also sing the Ukrainian anthem as a way to show support to Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia last week. True North gave them the stamp of approval. “I was definitely a little bit nervous. Not necessarily in regards to messing anything up, but just the potential impact and the magnitude of something like this, singing the Ukrainian national anthem live at an NHL game,” McColl said. “Having the audience singing along, crying, cheering, it was overwhelming.” • CHOIR, CONTINUED ON A2 WEATHER PARTLY SUNNY. ^ HIGH -15 — LOW -28 INSIDE CLASSROOM INCIDENT SUPPORT FOR FRENCH GREAT EIGHT Review underway after high school substitute uses racial slur in class / B1 Liberals to set target to bring more francophone immigrants to Canada / B4 Jets crush Canadiens comeback with eight-goal effort / D1 A_01_Mar-02-22_FP_01.indd 1 2022-03-01 10:39 PM ;