Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have all heard about the war in Ukraine and witnessed its impact on the news. In this House, we saw numerous Members donate to the Canadian Red Cross and the GNWT made a commitment to match the donations by NWT residents up to a maximum of $50,000.00.
Well, closer to home, our pharmacist and his wife were impacted deeply. Ukraine was their home country. In 2011, he immigrated to Canadian to start a new life. As the war broke out, they watched in horror. They had family and close friends living there So he started with a petition asking the federal government to facilitate visa requirements for Ukrainians that wish to come to Canada. As he was doing this, he witnessed the generosity of the residents of Fort Simpson. As he said, "In Fort Simpson everybody knows everyone and people knew we were from the Ukraine."
They had people come to their work or home to ask how they could help. Residents from the community gave what they could so they could help their friends and family back home. As this support was happening, the Village of Fort Simpson contacted them and asked them how they could help.
Mr. Speaker, I'm happy to say the community of Fort Simpson has two new residents.
On Friday, April 22, 2022, his friend and her daughter (his goddaughter) landed in Fort Simpson with just a few personal items. He and his wife were there to meet them at the airport and welcome them to the community. I have had the pleasure of watching him and his goddaughter walk past my home.
According to them, both are adjusting well. Last week, they reached out to the principal to get the daughter into school. As for his father, he has safely landed in Canada, another worry removed.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the residents of Fort Simpson, the village, the federal government, and others who helped them during this difficult time. As well, all Canadians who helped the country and residents of the Ukraine. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
