Premier Appoints Armstrong- Homeniuk Parliamentary Secretary for Ukrainian Refugee Settlement

Premier Appoints Armstrong- Homeniuk Parliamentary Secretary for Ukrainian Refugee Settlement

Michelle Pinon - New Advertiser

Premier Danielle Smith was widely criticized for words she spoke prior to her election as United Conservative Party, (UCP) leader and on Oct. 18 she issued a statement apologizing for ill-informed comments she made regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine before she re-entered politics this spring.

Past remarks surfaced that weekend. CBC reported that, during a livestream chat on April 29, Smith was quoted as saying, “The only answer for Ukraine is neutrality,” adding she understands why Russia would have a concern with a western-aligned Ukraine armed with nuclear weapons on its doorstep.

Smith categorically condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the “indescribable suffering Russia has and still is inflicting upon the Ukrainian people.”

Smith added, “I have directed my office to actively reach out to Alberta’s Ukrainian community leaders in order to ascertain immediate steps we can take to assist Ukrainian refugees to settle and integrate into communities across Alberta as quickly as possible.”

On Oct. 20 Smith met with Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk and various representatives from the Ukrainian community. Armstrong-Homeniuk stated, “As a proud Ukrainian and Chairperson for the Advisory Council on Alberta Ukraine Relations (ACAUR) I welcomed today’s discussions between Premier Danielle Smith and Ukrainian Consul General Oleksandr Danyleiko.

Alberta is home to the third largest settlement of Ukrainians in the world and they have helped shape our province into the prosperous and welcoming place it is today. Whether Ukrainians have lived here for generations or have recently arrived, they are now and always will be valued members of our society.”

Armstrong-Homeniuk said the meeting was “an important step forward and I look forward to continuing to assist Ukrainians who have recently arrived in Alberta with addressing the very real and serious issues they are facing.”

On Oct. 21 Smith announced her new cabinet. While there was no appointment as Minister of the Status of Women, a post Armstrong- Homeniuk held prior to the cabinet shuffle, Smith appointed her Parliamentary Secretary for Ukrainian Refugee Settlement.

Serving as the Associate Minister for the Status of Women has been an honour and I look forward to my new role as the Parliamentary Secretary for Ukrainian Refugee Settlement.

As you know our government, myself included, have been unequivocal in our support for Ukraine – as evidenced by the more than $23 million we’ve provided for Ukrainian relief efforts.

I look forward to continuing the work I have been doing to support Ukrainian refugees arriving in Alberta.”