TORONTO — Ontario is contributing $1 million to an international fund supporting repairs to Ukraine’s damaged energy infrastructure, as the country prepares for another winter amid continued Russian attacks on electricity, heating and water systems.
Premier Doug Ford announced the contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund on Sept. 24 during a meeting with United for Ukraine. The provincial government said the funding is intended to help maintain and restore critical infrastructure damaged during Russia’s invasion.
Ontario Funding Targets Critical Energy Repairs
The Ukraine Energy Support Fund operates under the direction of the Energy Community Secretariat, based in Vienna, Austria. It was established to help Ukraine stabilize essential electricity, heating and water services as energy infrastructure continues to sustain damage from Russian attacks.
Ontario said its $1 million commitment represents the largest contribution to the fund to date from a Canadian province. Combined with federal support, the province said Canada has become one of the fund’s leading international donors.
“As the people of Ukraine continue to defend their country against Russia’s illegal invasion and ongoing attacks, including on civilians, Ontario will always stand with those defending freedom and democracy,” said Premier Ford. “Ontario’s donation to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund will help Ukraine respond to Russian attacks and repair damage to vital infrastructure so the country can continue to defend their sovereignty today and for generations to come.”
The latest funding comes as Ukraine prepares for its fifth winter since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Damage to power generation and distribution infrastructure has placed additional pressure on the country’s ability to maintain essential services.
Ukraine Ambassador Highlights Winter Energy Risks
His Excellency Andrii Plakhotniuk, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada, said the funding comes at a critical time for the country’s energy system.
“Russia continues to systematically target Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure, seeking to use the coming winter as a weapon against the Ukrainian people,” said His Excellency Andrii Plakhotniuk, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada. “This will be the fifth winter since the start of Russia’s full-scale, brutal armed aggression in which Ukrainians face deliberate attacks on the energy infrastructure that keeps their homes warm, their lights on and essential services running. By targeting power generation and other critical infrastructure, Russia seeks to leave millions of Ukrainians without electricity, heat and running water at the time they need them most. Against this backdrop, Ontario’s generous contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund is both critical and timely. It will help Ukraine repair damaged energy infrastructure, restore essential services and strengthen the resilience of our energy system ahead of the winter months. On behalf of the Government of Ukraine, I extend our sincere gratitude to the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, and the Government of Ontario for this important contribution and for their steadfast solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.”
Province Builds on Previous Energy Equipment Support
The contribution follows an earlier Ontario initiative that provided Ukraine with nearly $5 million worth of energy equipment, including transformers, generators and replacement materials for the electrical grid.
“While the dictator in Moscow wages war against Ukraine targeting energy infrastructure, Ontario is again stepping up to support Ukrainians this winter by rebuilding the grid,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “Last year, Ontario stepped up by deploying nearly $5 million in energy equipment to Ukraine including critical equipment like transformers and generators. As Putin continues his relentless attacks on critical energy infrastructure, Ontario stands firmly with the people of Ukraine by contributing to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund.”
Ontario Continues Support for Ukrainians
Ontario has introduced several measures since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. More than 90,000 Ukrainians fleeing the conflict have been welcomed to the province, with settlement and employment assistance provided to help newcomers establish themselves.
The province also established a $1.9 million Ontario-Ukraine Solidarity Scholarship program for students at publicly assisted Ontario colleges and universities, with priority given to students affected by the war.
Ontario is home to more than 350,000 Ukrainian Canadians, making it one of the country’s largest Ukrainian diaspora communities. At the federal level, Canada has provided Ukraine with more than $26 billion in multifaceted support since 2022, according to figures cited by the Ontario government.
The province has also expanded education about Ukrainian history. In 2023, Ontario made learning about the Holodomor famine compulsory for high school students as part of the provincial curriculum.
The latest $1 million commitment adds an infrastructure-focused component to Ontario’s continuing support for Ukraine, with the funding directed toward maintaining essential energy services as winter approaches.