Alberta Premier Jason Kenney (Government of Alberta)

By Chris Brown / CHAT News Today

Helping To Live Secure Lives

Alberta announces $2M for rapid settlement support of Ukrainians

Apr 20, 2022 | 12:31 PM

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.

Prevention, Access, Recovery, and Coordination

Safe Harbour officially hands over shelter keys, establishes accessible navigation hub

15h ago

lacombe and sylvan lake

December 2025 (un)employment data released for Alberta sub-regions

16h ago

21 years with WCPS

Darcy Blum appointed principal of Lacombe Outreach School

17h ago

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.

“I am glad to hear that the province is able to provide assistance to Ukrainian citizens arriving in Alberta as they escape the unimaginable horrors and loss in their home country,” says NDP Critic for Labour and Immigration, Christina Gray. “Albertans in particular have been very clear in their support to help those in need fleeing the country, as so many of us share ties with Ukraine.

“The financial support announced today by the government must ensure that these Ukrainian citizens can transition thoroughly, and I am concerned that the roll out of these funds will not be tailored to the needs of these individuals across the province.

“There is no indication in the UCP’s plan that financial assistance will be provided equally across the province where refugees will be placed, leaving the potential for extreme gaps in resources for many communities. Some agencies who specialize in transitioning refugees in the province have contracts only with the federal government, and the UCP have not made any commitment to providing funds for agencies without provincial contracts.

“Additionally, I’m concerned that there isn’t any additional funding included for K-12 schools to enroll new students arriving in the province, as we know past refugee funding was approximately an additional $5,500 per child on top of base instructional funding. As well, the education funding that is outlined through the adult learning programs is not tailored to the needs specific to this situation, and I would like to see more emphasis on the transition of credentials for these refugees.

“I will be monitoring the roll out of this program closely, to ensure we are seeing the best possible outcome for Alberta’s new residents.”

(With files from rdnewsNOW)