Multiple levels of government have come together to send a clear message that Prince George is ready and willing to welcome refugees from Ukraine.
“As a result of the invasion of Ukraine, we have come together as levels of government to send a letter off to the Prime Minister and Premier regarding Prince George and our entire region as a location for potential Ukrainian refugees to come into our community,” said Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall.
Hall along with Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dolleen Logan, Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty, MLAs Shirley Bond and Mike Morris, and Fraser-Fort George Regional District chair Art Kaehn gathered together to sign the letter on the steps of City Hall in an act of solidarity.
The letter outlines that Prince George and the region are doing the work necessary to welcome displaced Ukrainians that may be looking for a temporary or permanent home.
“We are really willing to do something for the people who are suffering the most today — majority of those refugees have left their homes and now they have no place to go back because their cities and homes are completely destroyed,” said Father Andrii Chornenkyii, of the Ukrainian St. George's Catholic Church.
“Their relatives are killed and some of them are imprisoned, so they have no way to go back, so they are looking for a place to find a new home. I appreciate that Prince George is opening its heart and homes to welcome those refugees and those who are suffering the most today.”
Chornenkyii said he had just found out that his family had to flee to Poland because of bombing in his home city.
The United Nations estimated that over three million Ukrainians have fled the country so far, mostly to Poland and other neighbouring countries.
MLA Shirley Bond noted how important it was to see the visual of five levels of government working together and sending a unified message.
“We felt today it was important to stand visibly with one another to send a message to the federal government and to the provincial government that we are ready willing and able to welcome displaced Ukrainian families to Prince George,” said Bond.
She said often refugees are sent to large urban centres like Vancouver or Toronto, but every part of Canada and particularly British Columbia is willing to do their part.
“Bureaucracy moves slow even in times of crisis,” said MP Todd Doherty. “We wanted to make sure we are showing the community that there are efforts underway that we are preparing to do whatever we can and we will be sending that message.”
Hall noted that city also has experience mobilizing in times of crisis and welcomed Syrian refugees during the conflict in 2016.
“You may recall four or five years ago we invited a number of Syrian refugees to our community and to our region and the importance of that is that many of those families have started new lives here so now we are reaching out to Ukraine and saying look we are here, and we are welcoming you with open arms.”
A volunteer group called Prince George For Ukraine, composed of government leaders as well as representatives from the local Ukrainian community, has also formed to help organize efforts.
Prince George for Ukraine is preparing to launch a website that would provide important information about how people can help and what needs have been identified and is looking for additional fundraising efforts to support families that will arrive in Prince George in the future.
“It is a good resource because back in Ukraine and those neighboring countries, they are searching ‘where can I find a place to be safe’ — and we will do this website and Facebook in most languages, so it will be helpful for them to reach,” said Chornenkyii.
He also noted that people have been reaching out to him and the Ukrainian Church from all over the region including places like Dawson Creek and Burns Lake offering to help.
“I am really touched and surprised to see such overwhelming support from different communities.”
