HUMBOLDT — Filling in for Mayor Michael Behiel during Humboldt’s February council meeting, Coun. Larry Jorgenson, condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, offering support to the people of Ukraine.
“The City of Humboldt stands by all countries and people who cherish democracy,” said Jorgenson, who was acting as deputy mayor.
“We hope our Canadian governments and NATO allies' efforts to push back against this Russian aggression help restore an independent, democratic Ukraine. We offer our support to the people of Ukraine as well as all those people of Ukrainian ancestry both locally and around the world while we seek the restoration of democracy and a swift end to this unjust conflict.”
Canada has one of the largest populations of Ukrainians outside Ukraine. According to the 2016 census, there were 1.36 million people in Canada that said they had Ukrainian ancestry, about four per cent of the population.
Of those, 143,700 live in Saskatchewan, where they make up around 13 per cent of the population. In Humboldt, those with Ukrainian ancestry make up around 14.4 per cent of the population.
Provincially, Terry Dennis, legislative secretary responsible for Saskatchewan-Ukraine relations, said that he and his Government of Saskatchewan colleagues are exploring all their options in providing support to Ukraine after the recent invasion.
In February, the province donated $100,000 in humanitarian aid in Ukraine, including speeding the immigration program for Ukrainian refugees, as well as waiving fees for Saskatchewan residents who are texting and making long distance phone calls with friends and relatives in Ukraine.
