As the humanitarian crisis worsens in Ukraine, organizations receiving refugees in Canada are calling for more details to properly prepare for their arrival.
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The Canadian government has launched two special programs to help Ukrainian nationals come to Canada temporarily or permanently, but there are still several logistical details to be ironed out.
Chris Friesen, president of the Canadian Immigrant Settlement Sector Alliance, said not having a defined target in terms of numbers of arrivals or timing “makes proper planning almost impossible”.
“It’s very difficult to issue a call to action with clear goals that match and achieve the expected levels,” he told ‘Global News’.
“For us to be ready to receive Ukrainians in our communities across Canada, we need to ensure that we have the capacity to respond effectively,” Friesen added.
The Canada-Ukraine Emergency Travel Authorization program announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), allows Ukrainians to stay in the country for at least two years. However, no limit on the number of people who can apply has been set, reports the “Global News”.
Canada is also setting up a special family reunification sponsorship program for permanent residence, the details of which will be announced in the coming weeks, said Rémi Larivière, a spokesperson for IRCC.
Settlement agencies in Canada are waiting for more clarity from the government on the post-arrival process for incoming Ukrainians and the role they will be expected to play.
Ihor Michalchyshyn, executive director of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, echoed that concern. “We don’t know the magnitude of what’s coming,” he said.
The federal government also issues open work permits to Ukrainian visitors, workers and students currently in Canada. It also prioritizes the renewal of work and study permits for Ukrainians in the country.
More than 2.5 million people, mainly women and children, have already fled Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict which started on February 24th. The countries of Eastern Europe, neighbors of Ukraine, open their doors to welcome them.