IRCC and Canadian provinces collaborate to welcome Ukrainians, per the latest reports. According to the UNHCR, more than 7 million individuals have been dislocated since February 2022. Most individuals escaped to other neighboring countries, including Moldova and Poland. Additionally, others went to other international countries, for instance, Canada.
IRCC and Canadian provinces collaborate to receive Ukrainians
Per the historical records, Canada helped refugees and other dislocated individuals during such challenging times. For instance, Canada helped 25,000 Syrian refugees settle between November 2015 and February 2016. Furthermore, it is dedicated to helping 40,000 Afghan Refugees after the Taliban attack. IRCC’s latest data states that 28,285 Afghans came to Canada using the immigration streams.
Moreover, Canada has adopted a different approach for dislocated Ukrainians. Instead of arriving in Canada as refugees, they are coming here under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization of Emergency Travel.
Under CUAET, Ukrainians and their family members might reside in Canada as temporary residents. They can stay for up to a maximum of three years. Moreover, they won’t have to pay any fees to apply for a Visitor Visa and subsequently can apply for an Open Work Permit.
However, Canadian travel will only be based on individual funding, creating obstacles for several Ukrainians. Overall, Canada has successfully approved nearly 559,868 applications, and they have so far received 862,386 applications. More than 167,000 Ukrainians have come to Canada.
Ihor Michalchyshyn (the Ukrainian and Canadian Congress CEO) discussed Canada’s measures as an effective response to the Ukraine crisis.
He stated that although Canada responded out of necessity, the welcome was successful. He attributes the accomplishment to a mix of economic support from the federal government, housing, training, and language assistance from the provincial governments, and a community focus on integrating and embracing newcomers.
There are some difficulties, yet IRCC could help Ukrainian immigrants more effectively in various ways.
Naturally, data is one of the difficulties. He added that they have no real idea where or when individuals will be traveling because of self-funding. Volunteers and settlement agencies at airports are the primary means of welcoming and locating people. Due to the one-time paid income benefit, they might receive information on where people sign up for healthcare or income distribution. They might access more information regarding the people’s arrival locations and their needs.
In addition, he claims that accessing various government services for newcomers would be difficult. This is due to the CUAET’s transient character.
As of this year’s March 31st, the program will no longer accept applications. This is despite the repeated petitions by the settlement services and UCC concerning the date’s extension. However, there’s still uncertainty regarding the end of this conflict.
Other initiatives by IRCC and Canadian provinces
IRCC prioritizes processing all CUAET applications with a service standard of 14 days. Additionally, the federal government provides a one-time benefit that is non-taxable. This implies $3,000 each for adults and an extra $1,500 per child (below 17 years). CUAET participants form a part of these benefits. Moreover, this benefit program will likely expire on June 4, 2023. Besides this benefit, new Ukrainian immigrants will not receive any other settlement funding.
These support initiatives also apply to the provincial level. For instance, Manitoba consistently sends invitations to Ukrainian to apply for a provincial nomination. This provides an additional benefit to them, particularly those who seek Permanent Residency under an Express Entry program.
On the other hand, British Columbia even waived the health fee for those students who escaped Ukraine’s war. The province also developed a website to help Ukraine’s newcomers after their arrival.
Last year in August, New Brunswick brought forth drastically decreased prices for Ukraine nationals. They must have had valid driver’s licenses from Ukraine. Moreover, they can receive a vehicle license for $90. Also, they will not be required to complete a test if they have above two years of driving experience.
They will need to submit their identity documents and a vision test.
Ontario also offers a range of support initiatives to Ukraine’s new immigrants; they’re as follows:
- Having access to coverage under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), which provides any necessary health care treatments and assistance, including mental health services.
- Ukrainian citizens who are OHIP-eligible or who are in need of emergency financial assistance may access drug benefits.
- Access to host houses and other temporary settings that Ukrainians may require until long-term arrangements are formed through settlement services and Ukrainian community organizations.
- Guaranteeing free attendance at public schools for Ukrainian students in the primary and secondary levels.
Also attempting to bring Ukrainians to Canada and assist them in settling down a number of philanthropic groups in Canada. One of them, 4Ukraine.ca, claims to have helped develop over 1,000 resumes, flown over 500 people to Canada, and raised over $275,000 in charity.
This is how IRCC and Canadian provinces collaborate to bring in more Ukrainians.
Canadians’ efforts to support the Ukrainian new immigrants
According to the Canadian government, everyone living in Canada is welcome to donate money or offer their time to help Ukrainians both domestically and overseas. One strategy is to provide newcomers with accommodation. Each province has groups that will match volunteers with the housing requirements of newly arrived Ukrainians.
Canadian employers who access the jobbank.ca can also hire a Ukrainian new immigrant using the following steps:
- Get an employer registration done on the Job Bank.
- Creation of a new job ad and saving it in the draft section.
- Reach out to the Job Bank and provide them with the job’s reference number. Inform them about your interest in hiring Ukrainian nationals.
Michalchyshyn states that a few companies have done a praiseworthy job. These companies have grabbed every opportunity to bridge the labor shortage gap with the Ukrainians. Besides this, they have worked on enhancing their language proficiency.
Together with professional qualifications, language continues to be one of the primary challenges that newcomers to Canada under CUAET encounter. Several individuals who have sobbed openly are Ukrainian doctors or nurses who find it tough to comprehend how to start the recertification procedure here.
Yet, he claims that immigrants in Canada maintain their optimism.
He further stated that the people of Ukraine had shown incredible resiliency this year. Canadians are devoted to defending Ukraine’s democracy from tyranny. Their key message is that they’re grateful at this time for the warm welcome extended to the Ukrainian people.
