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
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.