Quebec Immigration Minister Jean Boulet says he was greatly moved by the arrival of 306 Ukrainian refugees at the Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport on Sunday as the second federally-chartered flight to bring these refugees to Canada – and the first such flight to arrive in Quebec – touched down safely.
“An emotional arrival of the first chartered flight to arrive in Montreal with 306 Ukrainian refugees,” tweeted Boulet. “Quebec is both proud and happy to welcome them.
“We are offering them many services to help them integrate into Quebec society.”
Read More
Prime Minister Pledges To Work With Quebec To Boost Francophone Immigration
IRCC Accepting IMP+ Applications For Open Work Permits From Quebec-Bound Skilled Workers
Canada Has One Million Job Vacancies As Post-COVID Economy Booms
Ottawa has so far chartered three planes to bring Ukrainian refugees to the safety of Canada through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET).
Third Of Ottawa’s Three Flights For Ukrainian Refugees To Arrive Thursday In Halifax
The first flight landed in Winnipeg May 23 with 328 Ukrainian refugees. The third planeload is slated to arrive on Thursday, June 2, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
“Canada is unwavering in our support for Ukraine and its people,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly in a statement. “Welcoming these families in Montreal is a reminder of the human impact of Putin’s war and of Canada’s continued promise to offer a temporary safe haven to those in need.”
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser has pledged Canada will accept an unlimited number of Ukrainian refugees who are fleeing their war-torn homeland in the wake of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s declaration of war on Ukraine in February, forcing millions to flee for their lives.
“Today’s flight is proof of how Canadians and communities across the country remain ready to welcome Ukrainians fleeing the ongoing invasion of their homeland,” said Fraser. “We will continue to do everything we can to help Ukrainians find safe haven in Canada and ensure their success once they arrive.”
The emergency program to help Ukrainians flee their war-torn homeland was launched on March 17 and provides Ukrainians and their immediate family members with temporary residency in Canada for up to three years. Under CUAET, these refugees are eligible for free open work permits and study permits and so can take a job with almost any Canadian employer or enrol in any education program in Canada.
They are eligible for a one-time payout under the Canada-Ukraine Transitional Assistance Initiative (CUTAI) of $3,000 per adult and $1,500 per child as well as settlement services, including language training, information about life in Canada, and help in finding jobs.
Online Applications For Financial Assistance For These Refugees Open On Thursday
Last week, the immigration minister announced details about the transitional financial assistance to help Ukrainian nationals and their family members meet their basic needs upon arrival. Online applications for this one-time financial support will be available as of June 2.
Parents and guardians can access this financial support by submitting one application for themselves, a spouse, and dependants. Payments will be made through direct deposit, so applicants will need to have a bank account with a Canadian financial institution under the same name as the name of the adult’s temporary resident status document, that is, their work permit, study permit, temporary resident permit or visitor record.
Those arriving on the three charter flights that don’t have a place to live are being put up in a hotel for two weeks.
“As Canada welcomes individuals seeking safe haven from the war in Ukraine, the government of Canada stands ready to support them and provide them with the resources to take care of themselves and their families,” says Karina Gould, Canada’s minister of families, children and social development.
“Service Canada will help ensure that services are delivered in a secure and timely way.”
As of Wednesday last week, May 25, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) had already received more than 259,000 applications under the program and approved 120,600 of them.
Canadians Can Donate Aeroplan Points To Cover Cost Of Refugee Flights
Ottawa’s charter flights build on other initiatives to bring the refugees to Canada, including the Ukraine2Canada Travel Fund through which at least 10,000 free flights are expected to be made available for refugees during the Russia-Ukraine war.
Canadians can donate their Aeroplan points through the Air Canada Foundation Ukrainian Relief Fund and Miles4Migrants websites to help cover the cost of flights for Ukrainian refugees. Canadians who would like to donate cash can do so through the Travel & Settlement Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto which will distribute these donations to sponsor displaced Ukrainians.
Once in Canada, Ukrainian refugees can apply for permanent residency and any work experience they gain or studying they do while in the country will only enhance their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores should they decide to complete Express Entry profiles and apply for permanent residency.
