Today, Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), joined by Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada Yulia Kovaliv, announced the donation of three City of Toronto vehicles to aid Ukraine.
On March 29, Toronto City Council authorized the City to donate three end-of-life vehicles to the Ukrainian government for humanitarian purposes. This marks the second such donation made by the City, following the four vehicles donated in 2022, at the request of Ambassador Kovaliv.
The vehicles earmarked for the second donation include a 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid and a 2001 Ford Ranger from Fleet Services, as well as a 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe from Paramedic Services, which is equipped with operational lights, sirens and basic first aid supplies. The Canada Ukraine Foundation will be covering the cost of shipping the donated vehicles to Ukraine through its medical equipment program.
This donation is one of the many actions and services that the City has mobilized to assist those affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine. More information on mobilization efforts for Ukrainian arrival and volunteer and donation opportunities is available on the City’s Help for People Fleeing Ukraine webpage.
According to federal government data, between January 2022 and May 2023, more than 227,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Canada, with more than a million temporary resident applications received since March 17, 2022.
Quotes:
“We are heartbroken by the devastation and loss that continue to impact hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians. Toronto is a home to many Ukrainian-Canadians and we are proud to join them in pledging our unwavering support towards Ukraine’s humanitarian efforts. We welcome the people of Ukraine choosing to resettle in Toronto, and reaffirm our commitment to work with all levels of government to provide supports where needed.”
– Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park)
“The destination points of these vehicles are medical centres in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, which undergoes many challenges of Russia’s constant shelling during the last months.
Kyiv and Toronto have special relations of a sistership for decades. We are grateful to the City and to the citizens of Toronto for this donation. That is what the sistership is about – to help in the most critical situation.”
– Yulia Kovaliv, Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada
“The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is very thankful that the City of Toronto is donating vehicles to help in humanitarian efforts to aid Ukraine in its time of need while Russia continues to bomb its cities.”
– Peter Schturyn, President of Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC)
“Toronto Paramedic Services has supported humanitarian efforts in different parts of the world through the donation of decommissioned emergency vehicles for many years. We’re proud to be able to assist Ukraine and its people with this particular donation, which was made possible through the cooperation and dedication of a number of City of Toronto staff.”
– Deputy Chief Rhonda Hamel-Smith, Toronto Paramedic Services
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