While the war continues in Ukraine, the mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante assures that the City is ready for the arrival of refugees, and that an action plan has been established to deal with the situation.
“When the first displaced Ukrainians come to Montreal, we will be ready. We already are. And we are in support of the communities already established here,” she mentioned Wednesday morning during a meeting of her executive committee.
She indicates that her administration is in constant discussion with the Office for the Integration of Newcomers to Montreal (BINAM) and with the Ukrainian community established in Montreal.
The City also made a donation of $60,000 to the Canadian Red Cross on Tuesday, to help Ukrainian refugees, the mayor inviting the population to follow this example.
“Montreal is a big city made up of lots of communities, but which are in solidarity with each other. We are proud of this status, we are proud to be a land of welcome, which makes room for everyone,” said Ms. Plante.
It also invites the population to contribute by donating medical equipment to BINAM, which will then be transported to the war zone.
“We feel very helpless on this side of the ocean, but there are small gestures that can be very meaningful for them,” she said.