N.W.T. premier makes personal donation to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, says government will donate $50K

The territorial government is stepping up its support for Ukraine, and calling on residents of the Northwest Territories to do the same. 

In February, the GNWT committed to matching residents' donations to the Canadian Red Cross in support of humanitarian efforts for Ukraine, up to a total of $50,000.

When Premier Caroline Cochrane made that announcement in the legislature, she said "the Northwest Territories stands with Ukraine."

Cochrane reiterated that sentiment on Thursday, and suggested that members of the Legislative Assembly should put some of their own funds towards the cause. 

"I will commit to personally donating $500 towards the campaign," she said. "And I challenge every member in this house to donate $500 to the campaign."

Cochrane's comments came in response to a question from Kevin O'Reilly, MLA for Frame Lake. 

O'Reilly told the legislature he had already donated $500 towards humanitarian efforts in Ukraine before the government's pledge to match donations from N.W.T. residents. He wanted to make sure his donation, and other donations made before the government's matching pledge, would be counted towards that $50,000 benchmark. 

"I can walk the receipt over," O'Reilly told Cochrane.

But Cochrane said she is not worried about donations from N.W.T. residents falling short of $50,000.

"Northerners have always been really generous, so we're pretty confident that the 50,000 will be matched by people," she said. "We'll also be promoting it within the GNWT as well. … I have no doubt that $50,000 will be donated."

If donations from people in the territory were to fall short of the target, Cochrane said the government would not hold back funds.

"Out of that $50,000 … I commit, we will spend it all," she said. 

Still, she reiterated her "plea … for all residents to commit to this cause."

To make it easier for N.W.T. residents to donate to the humanitarian relief efforts and have their contributions matched, the government and the Red Cross launched an online portal Thursday afternoon.