The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:

Speaker, I wish to inform the House that an airlift of 166 Ukrainian refugees under the hand of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador is on its way from Poland destined for St. John’s.

Speaker, as atrocities of war are inflicted on Ukraine by Russia, the people of this province are standing up and standing tall. We stand with Ukraine.

The world has been reminded of what is the true face of courage and resolve in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. As his nation fights for freedom, we will do all we can to support and ease the burdens of Ukrainian families.

When the crisis hit Ukraine, our province stepped up immediately with a made-in Newfoundland and Labrador response.

To our knowledge, we are the first state actor in North America to organize a humanitarian airlift of Ukrainians to our shores. Our understanding and our place on the world stage is reflected in this deliberate act.

Of course, none of this work would have been possible without the tireless leadership of my good friend, the Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills. What he and his department continue to accomplish is incredible, and other provinces and the Federal Government are looking to follow our example thanks to their tireless work.

I am reminded, Speaker, of each and every time Newfoundlanders and Labradorians stepped up to help, often in times of international crisis. Disasters at sea, sending our own off during the First World War when we could least afford it, 9/11. When people are in need, we are there.

Speaker, today, our long history of supporting people in times of crisis is being carried on. I wish to thank this House for its continuous support for our collective efforts and to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador for the incredible generosity that has been laid out.

Much work remains. Slava Ukraini.