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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.