Politicians, Ukrainian student leaders, educators, and organizers gathered on Feb. 28 to discuss Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine.
The event, open to both Queen’s and St. Lawrence College (SLC) students, was organized by the Queen’s University Ukrainian Students’ Association (QUUSA) and was held in Kingston Hall. A Zoom livestream was also available.
QUUSA co-presidents Taissa Martschenko and Katrina Korotky, both ArtSci ’24, hosted the event. Royal Military College (RMC) professor of Political Geography Lubomyr Luciuk helped facilitate.
“The pushback against Putin has been remarkable. As someone who teaches at a military university, I can tell you, no one anticipated Ukraine would fight as hard as it’s fighting—most especially not the Russian invaders,” Luciuk said.
The creation of the Mayor Paterson Fund for Ukrainian Students in Kingston is designed to provide support for Ukrainian students in need with limited red tape and bureaucracy.
“I’ve been bombarded with offers of help. In the last two days, everything from free housing, to food, to work opportunities, to cash. We haven’t even established the fund and it’s at $1,500 right now,” Luciuk said.
Luciuk said students needing support are free to contact him or QUUSA through their social media channels.
The event included guest speakers Mark Gerretsen, MP for Kingston and the Islands, Ian Arthur, MPP for Kingston and the Islands, and Mayor Bryan Paterson.
“I’m going to be bringing forward a motion to light up City Hall in the national colours of Ukraine— blue and yellow every night for the month of March,” Paterson said.
“Being able to partner on this fund is a great opportunity to be able to meet the needs of students that are going through some terrible and trying times right now.”
Gerretsen said the federal government is implementing strategies that will allow Ukrainians currently in Canada on work permits or student visas to stay in the country.
He added that his office in Kingston can serve as a point of contact for those who need assistance with the immigration process.
Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, also attended and spoke about hate-motivated crimes against Ukrainians in Toronto.
Luciuk, Martschenko, and Korotky remained optimistic about the situation in Ukraine and said a follow-up meeting would take place in two weeks.
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