Edmontonians fill charter plane with supplies for Ukraine
A local effort to collect needed medical and emergency response supplies for Ukraine has filled a charter plane.
Approximately 10,000 kilograms of donated medical supplies, non-lethal protective gear, and other equipment were gathered as part of the Fill A Plane for Ukraine campaign.
Volunteers with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta Provincial Council (UCC-APC) and Firefighter Aid Ukraine helped sort and prepare the donated supplies. The UCC-APC says the maximum quota for the plane had been reached in less than nine hours after starting the project Thursday evening.
"It's a very extensive amount of product that has come through," said Orysia Boychuk, UCC-APC president, at a media availability late Sunday evening. "We are very grateful and thankful to all the donors."
Premier Jason Kenney helped to prepare and seal a few packages of supplies Sunday that included firefighting gear, tactical vests, and military-style backpacks.
"All Albertans are devastated to see the images of this brutal assault on humanity being led by Vladimir Putin and his forces in Ukraine against an innocent civilian population," Kenney said.
"That thick connection between Alberta and Ukraine means so much to all of us," he added.
Oleksandr Danyleiko, Consul General of Ukraine in Edmonton, said the generosity of Albertans was helping not only supply Ukrainian civilians and forces but feeding their spirit to continue fighting against Russian aggression.
"It's a terrible war," Danyleiko said. "What you can see here, this is great and just very critical and timely support from you Canadians, Ukrainian Canadians, from Alberta.
"It will save lives of our soldiers. It will save lives of our women and children," he added. "Together we will win."
The plane is expected to lift off from the Edmonton International Airport early this week and land in Europe where the donated gear will be sent to Ukrainian forces.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.