The BC Teachers’ Federation and its 49,000 members stand united in condemning Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and the violent attacks on the Ukrainian people and their sovereignty. BC Teachers are particularly appalled at the attacks on civilians, including children, and call on the Canadian government to continue to work with international allies to de-escalate the conflict and support Ukrainian refugees.

“The human cost of this escalating conflict has already been profound, from loss of life to the forced displacement of more than a million Ukrainian civilians,” said Teri Mooring, BCTF President. “The attacks on the Ukrainian people and public infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, are particularly horrifying in their callous disregard for human life.”

The BCTF is calling on the Canadian government to help ensure all affected Ukrainian civilians—regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity—have equitable access to humanitarian aid and protection.

“Our hearts go out to our teacher colleagues and their students in Ukraine, whose lives have been upended in devastating and unthinkable ways,” said Mooring. “We stand with Ukraine and will continue to leverage our collective voices to call for Russia to end its invasion and war against Ukrainians.”

To help Ukrainians still in their country, or those that have been forced to flee, the BCTF Executive Committee is making donations to the following organizations on behalf of the BC Teachers’ Federation members:

• The Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine.
• The Free Trade Union of Education and Science of Ukraine.
• The International Trade Union Confederation’s Ukraine appeal.