Thousands of Ukrainians have applied for visas to seek refuge in Canada since Ottawa announced a fast-track program last week.
• Read also: [EN DIRECT] A month of war in Ukraine: here are all the latest developments
• Read also: Quebec clarifies reception measures for Ukrainians
The Federal Department of Immigration confirmed on Thursday that approximately 20,000 applications have been received since the Canada-Ukraine Emergency Travel Authorization (CUATU) came into effect exactly one week ago. to speed up visa applications by eliminating most of the usual criteria.
Added to this are 4,733 Ukrainians who have already arrived on Canadian soil since the start of the conflict.
On the side of Quebec, the Minister of Immigration, Jean Boulet, does not know how many refugees will choose to establish their household in the province, but assures that the doors are wide open. “I don’t have a limit, I didn’t set a ceiling. Depending on the needs, we will have the structures to welcome them well, ”he promises.
The minister points out that a majority of these refugees plan to stay here “temporarily”, with the hope of returning to their country once the fighting is over. In addition, most of it could go to the west of the country, where there are large Ukrainian communities.
Support measures
Thursday, Jean Boulet announced several measures to accommodate these women and children, mainly, who are fleeing the Russian invasion.
“As soon as they touch down on Quebec soil, we are there to welcome them, to integrate them, to offer them francization services, psychological support, support either for a return to work, or to allow their children to go to school”, commented the Minister.
A reception kiosk for them will also be set up at the Montréal-Trudeau airport.
“We will be able to welcome them in the Ukrainian language, explains Jean Boulet. We will accompany them, guide them and put them in contact with community organizations, I have 95 who are spread across Quebec.”
Assistance may take the form of an offer of temporary accommodation, financial support, places in the education network for children, full coverage from the Quebec Health Insurance Plan or of French lessons, listed the government in a press release.
In addition, Quebec invites companies that would be interested in hiring Ukrainian refugees to come forward via the address [email protected], in order to be put in contact with those who would be looking for a job.
For the moment, the Legault government does not know when the first large contingents of Ukrainian refugees could arrive on Quebec soil. Moreover, no specific budget has so far been released for this program.
Other waves
In the recent past, Canada has welcomed other waves of refugees fleeing conflict zones.
Some 25,000 Syrians found asylum in the country in 2015-2016, including about 5,000 in Quebec. Some of them had also been personally greeted at the airport by newly elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The Canadian government is also working to welcome 40,000 Afghan refugees after the withdrawal of Western troops from Afghanistan.
– With the collaboration of QMI Agency
See also
Reference-www.journaldequebec.com