Canada decided to equate Ukrainians with immigrants who received permanent residency
People entering on a Canada-Ukraine permit will be provided the same services free of charge as those new to permanent resident status.
On March 30, 2022, Sean Fraser, Canada's Minister of Immigration, announced that government support programs for immigrants will also apply to Ukrainians arriving under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET). The support services for Ukrainians will be a temporary measure and will last until March 31, 2023.
More than 550 organizations across Canada will be able to provide Ukrainians:
- language courses;
- information about life in Canada and the social services available;
- help children enroll in school;
- help in finding a job, confirming educational documents.
From the beginning of April 2022 the Canadian Red Cross intends to help Ukrainians arriving at the international airports of Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver: to provide translation services, to establish interaction of arrivals with public services and community organizations.
Prior to action at the federal level, the provincial governments of Manitoba and Quebec promised concrete assistance to Ukrainians.
Permanent resident status will not automatically be granted to anyone. For those Ukrainians who want to stay in Canada for longer than three years, applications for permanent residency will follow the same rules and immigration programs as for other temporary residents.
