Alberta Government to Provide Additional $4.32 Million Funding for Ukrainian Evacuees

Alberta Government to Provide Additional $4.32 Million for Ukrainian Evacuees

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

On March 31, Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Trade, Immigration and Multiculturalism announced the Government of Alberta would be providing an additional $4.32 million to help Ukrainian evacuees find temporary living spaces upon arrival in the province.

Sawhney, was joined by Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, Parliamentary Secretary for Ukrainian Refugee Settlement for a telephone town hall meeting the same day.

According to the Province of Alberta, more than eight million Ukrainians have fled their country since the start of the war, with more than 28,000 arriving in Alberta. Sawhney said the flow of evacuees has not stopped, and last week alone, a total of 1,400 evacuees had arrived in Alberta.

With the majority of evacuees arriving in Calgary and Edmonton there was a greater need for emergency accommodation there as well as Red Deer, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. To that end, more hotel rooms are now being made available to evacuees. Additionally, the Government of Alberta will be covering transportation costs to these hotels.

Sawhney said evacuees can spend 14 days in hotel rooms, and those days do not have to be done consecutively, but can be spread out over time until permanent housing is found. She told a caller that those five cities were chosen because that’s where the majority of evacuees are choosing to live. However, she said the will continue to monitor and collect data to see if there are other areas that can be potentially funded.

She also pointed out that the Government of Alberta has provided $4.2 million to organizations serving evacuees. Other types of financial supports are also being provided to organizations to provide English as a Second Language and mental health programs. She suggested people get in touch with their local settlement agency for assistance regarding that.

MLAs Rajan Sawhney & Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk

(News Advertiser/ March 2023 File Photo)

The Province’s Help Desk is expected to be operational in a couple of weeks, and Sawhney said that resource will provide information about all of the supports the Alberta Government is currently providing to evacuees.

A couple of callers suggested that emergency accommodation could be provided in university or college campuses dormitories. Sawhney said that was a good suggestion. Mundare Mayor Cheryl Calinoiu asked if they had considered providing accommodation in senior lodges. Sawhney said they have considered it but are not clear on how to encourage that, however, they are looking a ways to promote and market accommodation.

Calinoiu said there are around 24 units currently available for rent at Father Filas Manor in Mundare. In addition to the lodge in Mundare, there are other vacancies in the area and they may offer more affordable living than in urban centres. The lodge was built in 1974 and includes a total of 38 units.

Sawhney also mentioned the rural resiliency strategy, apprenticeship program and income support program. She said, “The government can’t do this work alone. We need your support.”

Sawhney, along with Armstrong-Homeniuk both acknowledge the work that’s being done by organizations and volunteers throughout the province. Armstrong-Homeniuk also thanked task force members and volunteers with the Mundare Easter Basket. “It was one of, if not the first groups to assist Ukrainians, and welcoming them here.”