New Westminster, B.C. – The City of New Westminster and the City of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, will celebrate a new Sister City relationship on September 19 as part of the Ukrainian New West Fest. The new Sister City agreement will strengthen the longstanding connections between New Westminster, the Ukrainian-Canadian community, and the people of Ukraine.

“This Sister City relationship is about friendship, solidarity and building lasting connections between our two communities,” said Mayor Patrick Johnstone. “New Westminster is proud to stand with the people of Ivano-Frankivsk and Ukraine. By formalizing this relationship, we are creating opportunities for meaningful exchange, learning and cooperation for years to come.”

The Sister City relationship provides a framework for New Westminster and Ivano-Frankivsk to develop connections in areas of mutual interest, including culture, education, youth engagement, economic development, municipal cooperation and community-to-community exchange. For New Westminster, the agreement also recognizes the important contribution of Ukrainian Canadians to the city's history and community life.

“Canada’s relationship with Ukraine is deeply rooted in the strength and resilience of Ukrainian communities across our country,” said MP Jake Sawatzky. “This Sister City agreement gives those connections a local expression and creates an opportunity for New Westminster and Ivano-Frankivsk to build lasting relationships through culture, community and cooperation. It is a meaningful demonstration of friendship and solidarity between our two communities.”

“The Sister City Agreement between New Westminster and Ivano-Frankivsk strengthens the bonds between our city and the Ukrainian people who have made it their home. It gives both cities an opportunity to share experience and knowledge, while supporting a Ukrainian city that is fighting the Russian invasion, rebuilding its infrastructure and caring for people forced to leave their homes,” shared Father Mykhailo Ozorovych of Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Cathedral. “This agreement is also a visible sign of the friendship and support that have grown here over generations. As we mark 75 years of the Ukrainian Catholic community in New Westminster, we honour the many Ukrainian Canadians who have contributed to the public, charitable and spiritual life of this city. This partnership builds on that shared history and opens a new chapter of friendship, support and hope between New Westminster and Ivano-Frankivsk.”

The celebration of the Sister City Agreement will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, September 19, 2026, on the main stage at the Ukrainian New West Fest. Mayor Patrick Johnstone, federal representatives from Canada and Ukraine, members of New Westminster City Council, and members of the Ukrainian-Canadian community will be in attendance. The Ukrainian New West Fest takes place at 501 Fourth Avenue in New Westminster.

A Flag of Friendship

The Sister City celebrations will begin on Friday, September 18, with the raising of the Ukrainian flag at the Friendship Garden in Tipperary Park. Mayor Johnstone will raise the flag, followed by a tree planting symbolizing the growing friendship between New Westminster and Ivano-Frankivsk.

The tree will remain as a lasting symbol of the relationship between the two cities and the connections between their communities.

About the Sister City Agreement

The new Sister City relationship reflects a shared commitment to friendship, cultural understanding, and cooperation, while laying the foundation for future exchanges and collaboration between New Westminster and Ivano-Frankivsk.

The City of New Westminster recognizes and thanks the Ukrainian-Canadian community and the organizers of Ukrainian New West Fest for their role in creating opportunities to celebrate Ukrainian culture and deepen connections between New Westminster and Ukraine.

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Media Contact:

Ashleigh Young
Manager of Communication
City of New Westminster
| 604-527-4559