Exactly one year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, the federal government is increasing its funding to the war-torn country with a pledge of $32 million for demining and “accountability” efforts, and also for countering “nuclear threats.”
The new funding brings the amount of Canada’s total contributions to Ukraine since February 2022 up to $5 billion, which Ottawa says includes “financial loans, military aid, humanitarian aid, development assistance, and security and stabilization efforts.”
Of the total amount, $7.5 million will go toward supplying Ukraine with technology to clear landmines “from agricultural lands and other large open areas,” which includes through use of remote-controlled demining vehicles.
Up to $1.8 million will go toward a project aimed at investigating disappearances of “large numbers of people,” and up to $3.4 million will be for a project meant to “strengthen accountability for violations of women’s rights” and “address conflict-related sexual violence.”
Both these amounts are part of a total of $13 million that will be put toward “accountability efforts.”
GAC adds that a total of $12 million will go toward countering “chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.”
“Canada’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty is unwavering. We will not stand down until Russia is held accountable for its crimes,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly in a Feb. 24 news release.
‘As Long as it Takes’
At press conference in Halifax on Feb. 23, Trudeau was asked by a reporter if the government is willing to sustain its high-level of funding support for Ukraine over another several years if the war continues for that long.“Canada will continue to do whatever is necessary to ensure that Russia does not benefit from having illegally invaded Ukraine,” Trudeau responded. “We will stand with the people of Ukraine as long as it takes.”
He went on to say the consequences that could ensue if Canada and other nations did not support Ukraine “could be devastating and long-reaching for the entire planet.”
“That’s why Canada and our allies will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine as long as it takes,” Trudeau said.
“There is a price to helping Ukraine which includes the weapons and the vehicles,” Anand said. “The cost of doing nothing is far greater. What happens here in Ukraine will determine the kind of world in which our children grow up.”
