LAKELAND – The provincial government has renewed its commitment in support of Ukraine.
During an Oct. 5 press conference, then Premier Jason Kenney said the province will provide the Ukrainian World Congress for the Unite with Ukraine campaign with $10 million. Kenney said the funding will provide humanitarian aid including first aid kits and medical supplies, sleeping bags and winter clothing, as well protective equipment for front line forces.
The Government of Alberta also renewed its memorandum of understanding with the Ivano-Frankivsk region of Ukraine, to recognize each other as sister provinces. Kenney said the MOU has been expanded to specifically include cooperation in infrastructure and energy development, noting Alberta as one of the “world’s energy superpowers.”
Kenney said Alberta’s deep solidarity and commitment to Ukraine during “the crisis of Putin’s invasion” will be long term, and “we as Albertans will be eager to participate in the rebuilding of Ukraine following the war.”
“Once Ukrainians have successfully pushed every Russian soldier out of sovereign Ukrainian territory, Alberta and Canada must be there in the huge work of construction renewal,” he said, followed by a round of applause from members of the audience. Kenney added a crucial part of that support will include strengthening Ukrainian energy security and independence.
He said given Russia’s “energy imperialism” and Putin’s effort to weaponize Russian energy across Europe and the world, ensuring Ukraine’s energy security and independence is urgent.
Orysia Boychuk, President with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial Council, said, “Ukraine is fighting for all of us here, for the values we as Albertans and Canadians hold dear.” Those values include, “freedom, human rights and sovereignty – the belief in creating a better world for our children.”
“This is a fight where the choice between two sides could not be clearer,” she said. “But sadly, we’ve seen less than unequivocal support for Ukraine from our western countries,” said Boychuk, explaining support takes more than a tweet or wearing a pin, but leadership and conviction.
Amil Shapka, member of St. Paul Ukrainian community, said he found the show of support by the Government of Alberta to be timely, “as interest in Russia’s war against Ukraine begins to wane.”
“The passage of time makes Ukraine’s efforts no less important,” stated Shapka, saying that international order is at stake. “We all have been affected by Russia’s aggression whether we realize it or not.”
Shapka said that while reaffirming commitment to Ukraine is important to boost the morale of Ukraine’s military and citizens, it is more important to ensure they successfully defend themselves and “they have the tools they need to reclaim their sovereignty.”
“Words will not win this war and I applaud Premier Kenney for his concrete action and leadership.”
Danyleiko Oleksandr, Consul General of Ukraine in Edmonton, also thanked Albertans for their donations and support. “This was long standing, and we need support more and more to fight the Russian aggression... and we will do so for sure with your support.”
According to Oleksandr, Putin has no intentions of stopping the war and has escalated the situation to the highest possible level in his attempt to annex Ukrainian territory. He said Putin is also threatening the world with a nuclear war “and we have to stop him.”
Oleksandr noted that over six thousand civilians have been killed, citing data from the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR). According to OHCHR, 6,413 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and around 10,000 civilians injured as of Sept. 30.
This includes around 1,700 women and around 400 children killed.
“Unfortunately, this is not the whole picture, and the real casualties are much higher... The Russians are trying to hide their atrocities,” said Oleksandr, stating mass graves of civilians in occupied territories are found almost every day.
Oleksandr said that while Ukraine is pushing back against Russia and liberating more Ukrainian territories, “Russia still has plenty of resources to continue this bloody war.” He said Ukraine is in desperate need of aid from friends and partners and concluded by once more thanking Alberta’s support.
