By Chris Brown

Alberta announces $2M for rapid settlement support of Ukrainians

Apr 20, 2022 | 10:56 AM

The provincial government is providing an estimated $2 million to support rapid settlement for Ukrainians arriving in Alberta.

Premier Jason Kenney said the province will provide health coverage immediately to all Ukrainians arriving through the federal program and will immediately offer enrolment in K to 12 schools for children in their new communities.

Kenney said people are fleeing their country having left everything behind and often arrive here not speaking English and sometimes having no relatives or friends. He added they are “in significant need of immediate and comprehensive support so that they can begin to live secure lives here but also cope with trauma and other challenges that they bring with them from the conflict.”

The premier said the invasion of Ukraine is Russia and President Vladimir Putin’s effort to obliterate Ukrainian identity and sovereignty. He said the war that has resulted in war crimes and acts of unimaginable violence that all civilized people must oppose n the strongest ways possible.

“We are all inspired by the courage, bravery and tenacity of the Ukrainian people in fighting back and defeating Putin’s forces in many parts of Ukraine and yet the threat remains very real,” Kenney said from a Ukrainian restaurant in St. Albert.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

7h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner

Dec 06, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

CHAT News producer makes 'emotional' return to Medicine Hat's old arena

Dec 06, 2024

Kenney added the province will provide Alberta ID cards including driver’s licenses to access important services, as well as access to child care and other resources and supports related to employment. There will also be a reference guide in English and Ukrainian posted at alberta.ca/ukraine.

Alberta is home to more than 369,000 people of Ukrainian descent, about nine per cent of Alberta’s overall population and about 27 per cent of the Canadian Ukrainian population.