'We're here to help': Vancouver Island resort ready to welcome 100 Ukrainian refugees
A team of workers, many of them volunteers, are putting the finishing touches on a new home for 100 Ukrainian refugees at a former resort in East Sooke, B.C.
The work started a month ago on what was then a dilapidated building. When war broke in Ukraine, the property's owner had a dream of welcoming people who were displaced.
"Having that community here is going to be a hugely important thing, I think," said owner Brian Holowaychuk.
Since then, workers and volunteers have transformed part of the 82-acre property into a safe haven for those fleeing conflict.
"[I've been] doing some grout working, sanding, anything that needs to be done to get it ready for the refugees," said Ken Levert, a volunteer and retired navy worker.
Not many refugees have arrived in Canada yet, but some rooms at this former resort are already spoken for.
"What we have here is a room for a mother, her daughter, and her six-year-old son," said Levert. "And also they bring with them their cat."
Several other refugees have already arrived on Vancouver Island, with thousands more expected to come to Canada in the coming weeks.
Halyna Marenko and her four-year-old son arrived in Victoria on Monday and are staying with strangers in Langford who opened their home to them.
Lainey Woolsey is hosting another Ukrainian refugee in Sooke, and she says communication will be vital in the days to come.
"One of the biggest barriers she's noticed for people is the language. They get off the airplane and they don't really know what to do or where to go," said Woolsey.
There will be more challenges ahead, but many islanders are already doing what they can to express a warm welcome.
"I feel personal satisfaction and I really would like to meet some of the people and say, 'You're safe now, you're here, and we're here to help,'" said Levert.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada outlines national action plan to fight auto theft
The federal government is launching what it calls its 'national action plan' to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
Iran's president and foreign minister die in helicopter crash at moment of high tensions in Mideast
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country's foreign minister were found dead Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East.
Michael Cohen says he stole from Trump's company as defence presses key hush money trial witness
Former Donald Trump attorney Michael Cohen admitted Monday to jurors in the Republican's hush money trial that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from Trump's company as defence lawyers seized on the star witness' misdeeds to attack his credibility.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.
Canucks' Brock Boeser out for decisive Game 7 vs. Oilers: coach
Canucks star Brock Boeser will miss Game 7 of Vancouver's second-round playoff series Monday against the Edmonton Oilers, according to reports.
Investors watching posts from 'Crypto King' in the wake of fraud, money laundering charges
Former investors of the self-styled “Crypto King” say they are watching his social media accounts and worried his displays of wealth are signs he’s spending their money, even now, as another large expense tied to Aiden Pleterski has triggered a previously unreported lawsuit.