By Cheryl Jahn

ICBA commits funds and more to Ukraine

Mar 25, 2022 | 2:52 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Thirty-five hundred construction workers in BC, members of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association have stepped up in light of the conflict in Ukraine, putting dollars where they’ll do the most.

“We thought it would start with a contribution from the ICBA.,” explains Mike Davis with the ICBA. “So we started off with a $25,000 donation. We went to our Board and our Board matched tat. So then we thought, let’s take it to our membership. We have 3,500 members and clients all over BC. So we made the call out to them and there was a fantastic response. We’re at just under $135,000 right now.”

Bravo, says the MP for Cariboo-Prince George. A week ago, civic officials and others became signatories to a letter addressed to the Prime Minister. That letter outlined how the City of Prince George would welcome any Ukrainian refugees to seek refuge here or become a resident. Todd Doherty hand-delivered that letter this week. Since this event, there have been 30 people who expressed an interest in housing someone from Ukraine.

“You hear the stories, you see the images. We have to do more. We have to find a way to do more,” says Todd Doherty. “And I’m just so proud of how local businesses, local organizations, local families that are not waiting for the government to step in.”

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And while the ICBA is donating well over $100,000, it is going that one extra step. “In addition to that, our members are committed to helping any refugee from the Ukraine who wants to come over and work in construction, we’ll help them find a job. Really proud to be part of that.”

According to the ICBA, more than 1.4 million Canadians have Ukranian heritage, many of who have family in Ukraine. And it says that donating is not limited to companies in the construction industry, individual donations are also accepted.

“Absolutely. We haven’t put an end line on this and we’ve just been getting a phenomenal response so we’re really excited to see how far this can go.”

If you are a member of the ICBA and care to donate to Ukraine relief go to the website on the screen … www.redcross.ca/UkraineCrisis/ICBA.