TORONTO

Ontario NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo wants the province to say nyet to Russian-made vodka.

DiNovo tabled a motion at Queen’s Park Thursday to suspend the sale of Russian Standard vodka in LCBO stores to protest Russian actions in Crimea.

“It’s the only vodka that’s made and is entirely Russian,” she said. “This request comes from the Canadian Ukrainian Congress and Ukrainians across Ontario.”

A YouTube video posted by members of the Ukrainian community in Toronto show them protesting in front of a Bloor St. W. LCBO store last month, asking for a ban on Russian vodka.

DiNovo said suspending the sale of this product at LCBO stories would send a signal of support and solidarity to the 350,000 Ukrainians who call Ontario home.

“This is a serious issue for Ukraine. This is a serious issue for the world. We should be saying something,” she said. “Ukrainians have helped build this province. I’m doing it for them and their relatives.”

The Parkdale-High Park MPP said her motion is aimed strictly at Russian President Vladimir Putin who has taken over Crimea.

“There’s nothing anti-Russian about this,” she said.

If the Ontario legislature supports the motion, then the LCBO would be ordered to suspend sales of Russian-made vodka until the crisis in the Ukraine is over, she said.

Premier Kathleen Wynne has already made public comments expressing concern about the violence and indicating her support of the Ukrainian community, Finance Minister Charles Sousa said.

“Certainly, countries around the world are watching closely what is taking place and Premier Wynne has been taking great leadership in trying to ensure we support the Ukrainian community and we will continue to do that.” Sousa said. “In terms of trade, negotiations and so forth, we’ll proceed as the House decides.”

The legislature has yet to schedule a vote on DiNovo’s motion.

— Files by Jenny Yuen