Premier Horgan outlines how British Columbia may respond to potential wave of Ukrainian refugees

Premier John Horgan hosted a Friday afternoon press
conference on a range of topics over the noon hours

As Vladimir Putin's Russia continues to wage war on Ukraine, what is shaping up as a massive refugee situation is forming up in a number of adjoining countries, with hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians having already fled the war across a number of neighbouring borders.

Premier John Horgan spoke to the flow of those refugees and how British Columbia will look to respond if called upon to provide for resettlement for those that may arrive in Canada in the weeks to come.

The Premier was speaking over the noon hour as part of a provincial press conference on a range of topics, the Ukrainian situation one of the early and most frequent topics for Mr. Horgan to address.

"Earlier this week we had a conference call with the Premiers across the country to talk about how we could have a coast to coast to coast response to what will become an emerging refugee crisis in Europe, as a result of the invasion by Vladimir Putin of the sovereign state of Ukraine 

Consequences are being seen nightly on our televisions. Having an opportunity to speak with the Ukrainian community here in British Columbia today and settlement organizations earlier in the week we all stand ready to open our hearts and home to the refugees that will be coming"

As part of his overview he noted of the challenges that will be found ranging from language barriers, trauma counselling for women and children and how the province would find a role to play in what is mostly a Federal matter.

"And also how we as a government, immigration not a primary responsibility of the province, but of course none of that matters in a time of crisis. We wanted to be clear to the Ukrainian community and through the media to all British Columbians there is much that needs to be done and there are a variety of ways to help"

Towards that initiative the province will be putting together some infrastructure to  including a 1 800 number to assist in the collection of funds and goods to address the need that will be anticipated. 

To close out his comments on the  ongoing violence on Ukraine, the Premier had words for the Russian government

"So we ask for patience from the broader public as we put together an infrastructure to accept the benevolence and generosity of  British Columbians towards the good people, the courageous and gracious people of Ukraine. Who are ending the most unimaginable horrors at a time when we thought that type of activity was behind us.

Historic anomalies rather than a present day threat and the violence being put on Ukraine by the Russian government is totally unacceptable, I reinforce I believe the view of all British Columbians that Vladimir Putin should step down, step back and get the heck out of the Ukraine"

Later in the afternoon the Premier would note of his conversation to the topic earlier in the day when he and Municipal Affairs Minister Nathan Cullen had met with Ukrainian Canadians.

He also had sharp words for the a convoy participants that are forming up in the Victoria area today, noting of the world situation and how those participating in the protest in the provincial capital should take heed to current events and give their heads a shake.

"There will be no occupation in Victoria based on what I've heard from Del Manek and the city of Victoria. 

And I would just say to these people Goodness Me, get a hobby, find something else to do with your time.

We are removing restrictions at a pace that is consistent to the work we have done for the past two years and ninety four percent of adults in British Columbia are vaccinated.

So we are spending an awful lot of time, with a small  group of people who seem to have nothing better to do with their time than to drive around in circles and honk their horns. 

I wish they would take some time to watch some television and see the evening news about real tragedies and real disruptions in freedom that are going on in Europe right now. 

Give your head a shake find a better way to take your energies and put it positive outcomes that's my recommendation and I'm hopeful that some of the people who are planning to come here will take that heart and do the right thing,  find positive pursuits for your excess energy"

A follow up question on the same topic offered another opportunity for the Premier to reinforce his message to those who would wish to be disrupters to civil society.

"I think all of us learned lessons from events in Ottawa and I know law enforcement in Victoria as well as across the province are seized of the challenges of people who are set on mayhem, set on not civil and peaceful protest but disrupting the lives of fellow citizens 

And that's not going to be tolerated in British Columbia 

We are taking steps to address a public health crisis You can disagree with us, You can send us letters, You can protest but then you need to go home. That is how Canadians have historically addressed issued of disagreement. In a democratic society that's how we need to operate, occupation and threats of intimidation helps no one"

The ongoing drug overdose crisis made for another topic, with the Premier noting of the need for a balance between enforcement and treatment that is needed in the province towards addressing the situation.

Also mailing for a theme for discussion was this weekend's time change, a semi annual event that the Premier has long advocated bringing to an end having passed legislation to do so three years go. 

However, his wishes and those of American leaders beyond California, Oregon and Washington are not yet in sync towards abolishing the Spring ritual.

"All three of those states have made commitments towards that direction, Oregon and Washington have passed legislation, but they require Congressional approval in Washington DC to suspend the changing of clocks twice a year. 

The Good News is that Senator Patty Murray from Washington is now co -sponsoring a bill, we're hopeful that it may pass this year and this may be the last year where we Spring forward."

The Premier also noted of a social media contribution from Ryan Reynold and a few guests offer some additional help towards the cause.

You can review Mr. Horgan's full press conference from the video below:

More notes on the work of the BC Legislature can be reviewed from our archive page.