Lights in blue and yellow at Peachland's Heritage Park show support for Ukraine.

Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Mayor Cindy Fortin

Take a stroll through Peachland’s downtown and you’ll be greeted by the colours of Ukraine’s flag.

George Cain is one of the District of Peachland’s employees who puts up Christmas lights every year. Due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the idea was pitched to town council to put up yellow and blue lights in Heritage Park as a way to show support.

“I was watching the other night and I saw that Sydney Opera House was lit up, Paris Eiffel Tower was light up and all these different famous sights throughout the world and I figure Peachland fits into that domain and we should do our little bit,” he said. “It’s been inundated with praise and appreciation.”

Residents walking by have shown their appreciation for the lights and it was well-received by the local council.

“It’s a town offering to the people of Ukraine… whatever we can do, a little blip on the map if you will,” Cain said.

“I think it’s really important to get in support of a fellow democratic country that’s going through such strife right now and this isn’t a political statement, (it's) a humanitarian one,” said Mayor Cindy Fortin.

Canada has roughly 1.4 million people with Ukrainian ancestry.

The lights lets them and their relatives know the town supports them, she said.

Rallies have been held across the Thompson-Okanagan region, and globally, in support of Ukraine.

More than one million people have fled the conflict since Russia invaded Ukraine last week. Canada has imposed sanctions on Russia and is currently not allowing Russian planes to fly through Canadian airspace. The government will provide fast-tracked visas for an unlimited number of Ukrainians who wish to come to Canada to work, and then return home when it is safe, said Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.

READ MORE: Canada expedites temporary visas for Ukrainians, imposes new sanctions on Russia

— With files from The Canadian Press

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