In letters directed to Governor of Tyumen Oblast Aleksandr Moor, Governor of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug Natalya Komarova and Governor of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug Dmitry Artyukhov, Premier Jason Kenney stated that despite the decades-long relationships, Alberta denounces Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is terminating its relationship with these regions.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is an outrageous act of aggression that has led to appalling war crimes, the death of thousands of civilians and the displacement of millions. Putin’s campaign of terror cannot be tolerated and the entire civilized world must use every tool to stop it. Ending this relationship with Russian states is just one small way that Alberta can register our disgust at the actions of the Russian Federation.”
The relationships between Alberta and Tyumen Oblast, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug began in 1992, 1995 and 1997, respectively.
This is the first time the Government of Alberta has terminated relationships with sister regions.
Alberta maintains sister province relationships to help promote economic development-related activities and cross-cultural awareness and cooperation in culture, education, sports, agriculture, technology, governance and tourism.
Quick facts
- Alberta’s government is contributing more than $11.3 million in support for Ukraine, including:
- $1 million to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, organized by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Canada Ukraine Foundation, to help coordinate and deliver humanitarian aid.
- $5 million to the Ukrainian World Congress to equip 5,000 members of the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Force with defensive equipment.
- $5 million to the Canada Ukraine Foundation for additional humanitarian aid.
- $350,000 to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta Provincial Council to support their efforts.
- Alberta’s government is prioritizing the assessment of applications for permanent residency made by Ukrainian nationals through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. Candidates must still meet all program criteria.
- Application and post-decision service fees for the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program are also being temporarily waived for new applications and requests made by Ukrainian nationals.
- These measures will be reviewed quarterly.
- In response to the invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing humanitarian crisis, the Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) announced that it will divest all Russian holdings.
- AIMCo has also committed that it will not purchase Russian assets during the conflict or while financial sanctions are being applied to Russia or its leaders.