BONNYVILLE – A notice of motion to support a relocation program that assists Ukrainian refugee families displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine move to the MD of Bonnyville was presented to council by Coun. Don Slipchuk.
The notice of motion was presented at the regular council meeting on Feb. 14, as a means to give advanced warning to council members about the substantive proposed program that would return to council for consideration.
The proposed program that will be brought to the Feb. 28 regular council meeting for consideration will also seek that the municipality allocates $30,000 annually for a council-approved support program until the crisis in Ukraine has ceased.
Slipchuk’s notice of motion included direction to administration to research opportunities that would support and assist in bringing refugee Ukrainian families to the MD of Bonnyville.
A report with options to support the implementation of such a program was additionally requested to be presented by administration to council by April 1.
In his notice of motion, Slipchuk additionally stated as many Ukrainian families have been displaced by the war, the municipality having “a vibrant and long-standing Ukrainian community locally, would be a good cultural fit for these displaced families.”
He continued, “The MD of Bonnyville has the resources to assist some of these families with their relocation to Alberta.”
The motion presented by Slipchuk will be discussed on Feb. 28.