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Province providing more support for Ukrainians

New social supports are being provided to Ukrainian nationals arriving in Alberta from their war-torn homeland, the province said Monday.
Jason Kenney April 30
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney at an April 30 press conference. Kenney announced financial support for Ukrainians fleeing the war in their homeland and living in Alberta. (photography by Chris Schwarz/Government of Alberta)

New social supports are being provided to Ukrainian nationals arriving in Alberta from their war-torn homeland, the province said Monday.

A new support program will launch on July 25 to provide six months of support for food, clothing and shelter. The supports include temporary funding to cover basis expenses and a child care subsidy.

“Alberta’s government has moved quickly to offer access to health care, child care, education, emergency financial funding and guidance to get official documents and find work,” Premier Jason Kenney said in a press release. 

“Now we will do even more to help them rebuild their lives here in Alberta with these expanded social supports for Ukrainians seeking refuge here.

“This expanded support will be key for people who whose lives have been thrown into chaos by the invasion. We can at least dispel the uncertainties that come with trying to start over and trying to make ends meet in a new country.”

Regarding emergency financial funding, he said a single adult would receive a minimum of $745 a month in core benefits, a single adult with one child would receive nearly $1,200, and with two children $1,300. A couple with no children would receive $1,116.

The program’s estimated cost will be up to $38 million, he said.

Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk is the associate minister of status of women and chair of the advisory council on Alberta-Ukraine relations.

“By helping with the costs to cover basic needs, we can help Ukrainian newcomers get settled and rebuild,” Armstrong-Homeniuk said.

Under the program Ukrainian parents can apply for six months of funding to cover the cost of licensed child care through the Child Care Subsidy Program. Children must to 12 or younger to be eligible.

The program’s temporary financial support includes core monthly benefits and one-time issue benefits for special or emergency situations.

“This will definitely help contribute to the success of the Ukrainian nationals integrating successfully into Canadian society,” said Orysia Boychuk, president of Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Alberta Provincial Council.

Matt Jones, Minister of Children’s Services, said, “By helping with the cost of child care and support access to quality child-care programs for Ukrainian parents arriving in Alberta, we are ensuring their children will be safe and that families will have the help they need as they build a new life in our province.

“We are committed to ensuring your children are safe and protected.”

During a press conference Monday, Premier Kenney said, “As we know this terrible conflict in Ukraine is now in it fourth month, of Vladimir Putin’s brutal, illegal, inhumane invasion of the homeland of hundreds of thousands of Albertans. 

“There is a special, deep connection between Alberta and Ukraine. That is why we are proud to have opened our doors of refuge to Ukrainians fleeing the violence of that conflict.”

He said he is “inspired by the courage and determination of the Ukrainian people who refuse to give up.”

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