Canada continues to Fund Ukraine War
In 1991, Canada was the first Western nation to officially recognize Ukraine as its own independent state. Still today, the nations are joined at the hip and Ukraine continues to depend on Canada for its protection.
In December 2025, after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Halifax, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new Ukraine financial aid package for 2025 and 2026.
Canada near to a bankruptcy continues to fund Ukraine war
According to an official press release by the Canadian government following this meeting, “Building on Canada’s strong support for Ukraine, the Prime Minister today announced new measures to support a just and lasting peace.” As part of this effort, Canada announced an additional $2.5 billion commitment for Ukraine, including:
● A loan guarantee of up to $1.3 billion in 2026 to the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to support Ukraine’s reconstruction
● A loan guarantee of up to $322 million in 2026 to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to support Ukraine’s gas imports and reinforce its energy security ● A package worth $900 million in military aid, including $475 million for ammunition, $400 million worth of Canadian armored vehicles, and $50 million for other critical military operations support
Canada delivers LAV 6 armored vehicle to Ukraine
Additionally the Canadian government offered Ukraine:
● The extension or suspension of Ukrainian debts to Canada so they don’t have to be paid immediately, or in some cases at all.
● Financing assurances that will enable the International Monetary Fund to lend Ukraine an additional $8 billion as part of an extended financing program over time.
This is in addition to nearly $22 billion which Canada has already provided to Ukraine, since
Russia first began their “special operation” to take Kyiv in 2022. When this surprise attack and special operation failed, it turned into a full scale invasion which has shown no sign of stopping, and continues draining resources that could be given directly to Canadians in need.
Of the $22 billion Canada has spent in Ukraine’s defense, $12 billion was direct financial support with no expectation of receiving anything in return.
According to projections from Canada’s Food Price Report, $12 billion could fund food for
roughly 2.7 million Canadians for a whole year. This would equal 32-38 million meals for a
month. In 2025, Canada had 9.8 million food insecure individuals, 2.4 million of whom are
children. With this same amount, every child could be fed and there would be some extra still.
So who sets this pro-Ukraine policy?
Of all the Canadian Parliament, Prime Minister Mark Carney has been one of the most
pro-Ukraine and one of the most hawkish members against Russia. He is also the one who
ultimately makes the decision.
Seemingly, he’s also a lot more confident in how this war will end than a lot of us.
“It’s only a matter of time…” Carney said, “but Putin will lose this war.”
Blaming Carney is obvious, but there are of course other members of his administration
involved. And he surrounded himself with some of the most passionate.
Carney is also supported by his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, who coordinates
diplomatic efforts on behalf of Canada and in support of Ukraine, placed sanctions against
Russia and helped decide how aid would be supplied. This also places her directly in
communication with Canada’s allies in NATO.
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Tim Hodgson also plays an essential part in
supporting Ukraine. He is not only responsible for helping secure future funding for the
reconstruction of Ukraine’s energy grid, he is helping them secure vital oil and gas right now which is fueling their continued war effort.
Even as Trudeau finally stepped down in January 2025, amidst lower approval ratings, he left Ukraine a parting gift, a final $5 billion aid package.
Soon after Carney took up his mantle and his funding of Ukraine. Similar to Carney, Trudeau kept those who were pro-Ukraine close to him in his cabinet and in positions of power.
Former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is considered by many to have been the strongest advocate of Ukraine, which makes sense because she herself is Ukrainian on her moms side. Since leaving the Canadian government, she has joined the Ukrainian government as an economic advisor to President Zelensky.
Freeland is responsible for the IMF’s Multi-donor Administered Account in the G7 and other key pro-Ukraine policies. For instance, she is the one responsible for the strategy of seizing
sanctioned Russian assets, and using the captured money to fund Ukraine, without Canadian itizens having to hold the entire bill.
Besides Freeland and the rest, Former Minister of National Defence Bill Blair became
notorious in his support for Ukraine. Much like a former British PM with the same last name, Blair is and was a war hawk first.
As a result, Bill Blair’s policy was almost entirely military focused. Instead of direct money
payments, Blair oversaw Canada sending Ukraine billions in military aid. This included
shipments of ammunition, armored vehicles, air defense systems, and even drones.
Lastly, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly, took up a similar role as Anita
Ananad is responsible for now. On the one hand, she provides humanitarian aid to Ukraine foremergency health services, clean water infrastructure, and winterization. On the other hand she contributed to harsh sanctions against Russia.
But the question remains, can these people be trusted to make this decision? There must be nuance. It’s one thing to support an ally, but not at the expense of Canadian citizens who need support right here in the homeland.
And you wouldn’t be paranoid to question their judgement. In 2023, not long after the Ukraine war began, Canada invited 98 year old Yaroslav Hunka to appear before the Canadian Parliament. All of the most important politicians in the country gave Hunka a standing ovation as a “Ukranian-Canadian hero”.
Then, just days later, it was revealed that this so-called “hero” was actually a villain. In World War II, Yaroslav Hunka fought as part of a Nazi unit in Ukraine.
Trudeau didn’t just apologize on behalf of himself for this embarrassment, he told the world
“Canada is deeply sorry”. Former Speaker of the House of Commons, Anthony Rota, who
was responsible for inviting Hunka, was forced to resign.
It’s been four years now and no end to the fighting is in sight. It’s not even clear that either
Russia or Ukraine has any intention of accepting a ceasefire. So when and how does it end?
Will Canada just keep funding into the slaughter indefinitely?
Hopefully Russia will back down and there can finally be peace in the region, but Canadians
must be prepared for a scenario where that is not the case.
