'A wonderful gift': Ukrainian family moves rent-free into new Port Moody, B.C., apartment
When Russian bombs started dropping on small towns outside Kyiv, the Kovalivs, who lived near hard-hit Bucha, fled to Poland. From there, the couple decided to take their three kids to Vancouver, where dad Petro had studied theology at Regent College 15 years ago.
“We asked our friends to find us an apartment to stay, and this is beyond what we could expect. Not only the apartment, but everything that’s in it,” said Petro, as he moved his family into a brand new, fully furnished, three-bedroom unit at a building in Port Moody, which the developer is letting them live in for free.
“We are really grateful,” Kovaliv added. “This is a really amazing, wonderful gift.”
The president and CEO of Woodbridge Homes, Jamie Howard, says the inspiration for the gifted apartment – the second one he’s offered to displaced Ukrainian families at his new rental building “The Moody” – was his Ukrainian grandfather, who moved here over a century ago.
“Canadians helped him,” said Howard. “And now we are the established Canadians two generations later, and it seemed appropriate to me we have to help these families coming from these very difficult circumstances.”
Svitlana Kominko, who runs the Ukrainian settlement organization Maple Hope Foundation, was there to welcome the family to their new apartment.
“It’s a happy day for us to witness their joy, their happiness, their welcome,” Kominko said.
And the builders’ generosity is now inspiring others in Metro Vancouver’s development community.
“When people watch great things….they want to be part of that,” said Kominko. “We are hearing from property management companies, from developers and that they are ready as soon as units become vacant to give these units to Ukrainians.” But she said more is needed, and urged anyone who can help with housing or employment to visit the Ukrainian Vancouver website.
Howard says watching 12-year-old Svyata, six-year-old Daniel and four-year-old Anya Kovaliv in their new bedrooms opening donated presents is reward enough.
“It’s amazing to see the kids in particular relax and get excited to be children again. It’s wonderful,” said Howard.
The Kovalivs plan to enrol their three children in school as soon as possible. And Petro hopes to find work teaching at a bible college. “It was very stressful, all the moves,” he said. “So we hope we get settled, we feel safe, our kids feel safe, and we get some rest. And then, we go from there.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.