$22 Billion Canadian Dollars to the Ukraine War With Russia

It makes logical sense to consider what Canada's $22 billion commitment to Ukraine might have done for its own citizens. It still comes to billions every year that could have been used to help with some of the most difficult daily challenges that Canadians face. For example, the housing crisis has made owning a home seem like a far-off dream for many people, with prices and rents skyrocketing in most cities. There needs to be at least 430,000 to 480,000 new homes must be built annually just to return to 2020 affordability, and dedicating even a small portion of that money to programs like Build Canada Homes or affordable housing subsidies could have stimulated construction and added tens of thousands of much-needed units.

Another significant issue is healthcare. Additional billions could have funded more hospital beds, helped recruit and retain doctors and nurses, or finally addressed the enormous backlogs that provinces often discuss. These issues include overworked staff, aging facilities, and horribly long wait times for surgeries, specialists, and even emergency care. When a 44-year-old man enters the emergency room of a large Grey Nuns Hospital and reports that he is experiencing severe chest pain, there is a problem with the healthcare system. Eight hours later, the man passes away in the emergency room as a result of not receiving medical attention.

The cost of living is also a major concern for everyone; according to recent surveys, the most pressing issues are groceries, utilities, and general expenses. Funding could have been used to increase child care support, expand rebates, or invest in infrastructure to eventually lower daily costs.

In addition, there are actual gaps in areas like aging transit systems, the shift to clean energy, and the ongoing need for decent housing and efforts to make amends with Indigenous communities where additional funding would have been significant. In the end, a lot of people appreciate helping Ukraine fend off Russia's invasion. In 2014, after overthrowing pro-Russian President Yanukovych, Ukraine, with the help of USA and EU, moved toward NATO/EU integration and in 2019 the present Ukraine government completed constitutional amendments enshrined NATO and EU membership goals, infuriating the Russian government.

It's hard to ignore how that same $22 billion might have improved Canadian families' quality of life.