Alberta to provide $5 million in non-lethal military equipment to Ukrainian defense forces

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Alberta’s government is supplying military equipment to Ukrainian defense forces amid the escalating Russian invasion.

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Premier Jason Kenney Friday morning said the province is sending a total of $10.3 million to support Ukraine, including $5 million through the Ukrainian World Congress to equip 5,000 members of the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Force with defensive equipment. That includes flak jackets, helmets, bulletproof vests, first-aid kits, night-vision goggles, communications equipment, and essential fuel. Alberta is also providing $5 million towards humanitarian aid through the Canada Ukraine Foundation.

Kenney revealed the news at a school funding announcement. “These are both reputable organizations with stringent measures in place to ensure the responsible and prompt delivery of the equipment,” said Kenney, adding that the province would specify conditions in its contribution agreement that only non-lethal, defensive equipment be supplied.

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Another $350,000 will go to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta Provincial Council for their campaign co-ordinating the air shipment of first aid and defensive equipment to Ukraine.

When asked if Alberta has ever supplied support like this in foreign conflicts, Kenney said “not that I’m aware of,” adding he feels Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine is unprecedented.

“I don’t think we can responsibly just sit on the sidelines watching civilians be massacred while they’re seeking to fight for their families and their homes, so we’ll be providing equipment that will help to save lives, not to take lives ,” said Kenney, adding that the measures are meant to demonstrate the solidarity of the people of Alberta with Ukraine.

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“Provincial governments do not have international development programs, but we feel so strongly, in part I think because of the deep historical and human connection between Alberta and Ukraine. We owe so much to Ukraine and Ukrainian people and we are so devastated to see acts of aggression which are reminiscent of the terror of Eastern Europe between 1938 and 1945,” said Kenney.

Nicole Goehring, the Alberta NDP Opposition’s liaison to the Canadian Armed Forces, said in a statement Friday the NDP stands with the people of Ukraine and all the Ukrainians who call Alberta home.

“Today’s announcement by Jason Kenney to send non-lethal military equipment to Ukrainian defense forces is a departure from the usual practice for provinces. However, given the horrific scenes we are seeing in Ukraine, I know that Albertans want to do anything they can to help keep people safe,” said Goehring.

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On Feb. 23, the premier announced Alberta would send $1 million for humanitarian relief through the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation, hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized military operations in the country.

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) announced Sunday it would pull Russian-made liquor products from Alberta shelvesand AIMCo, the provincial pension management corporation, said this week it’s diving its Russian holdings as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.

On Friday, Kenney said he has instructed Labor and Immigration Minister Kaycee Madu to accelerate any Ukrainian nationals who have applications for permanent residency through the province’s immigration program.

Prior to the invasion of the Eastern European country, the Canadian government pledged $7.8 million worth of lethal weapons and an additional $500 million loan in response to a request from Ukraine.

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