Idea for Winnipeg-Ukraine humanitarian fund welcomed, advocates suggest using dollars closer to home
A Winnipeg councillor's idea to create a humanitarian fund to help Ukraine is being praised by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress as it urges the city to consider using the dollars closer to home.
Coun. Russ Wyatt (Transcona) put the idea to council to create a Winnipeg-Ukraine Humanitarian Fund. He said the donations would be collected by the city to be used for humanitarian aid as the Russian invasion continues.
Roman Yereniuk, speaking on behalf of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, congratulated council for considering the motion, saying if passed, Winnipeg will be the first Canadian city to do this kind of initiative.
"We are very, very pleased to hear there is some movement, some ideas – some fresh ideas," Yereniuk told council.
He said the federal and provincial governments have done a lot of work to help Ukrainians, but said there is a role the city can play.
"If we can do our little bit in City Hall and do it with the people of Winnipeg, including the Ukrainian Canadian population, I think this would go a long way to alleviate some of the problems," he said.
The motion proposes the donations raised in the fund would be matched by the city one-to-one, and would be transferred to non-profits in Ukraine every month.
However, Yereniuk suggested the city use some of the funds here in Winnipeg.
"We believe strongly that some of the funds should stay in Manitoba and in the City of Winnipeg to assist with the resettlement of those immigrants that have decided and have been able to receive visas to come to Canada," he said.
"They are always in need of additional assistance."
Mayor Scott Gillingham told council close to 15,000 Ukrainian refugees are settling in Manitoba, most of whom are coming to Winnipeg.
"No matter what happens today, the conversation will not end in any way," Gillingham said during the council meeting.
The motion is set to return to City Hall. Council voted Thursday to refer it to the Executive Policy Committee for further discussion.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.