How will Quebec help Ukrainians?
No other province in Canada has yet officially announced such a scale of support.
The government of Quebec has promised to install a special kiosk at airport to welcome Ukrainians, where immigration officials and representatives of non-profit organizations will be constantly on duty. The officers on duty will inform arriving Ukrainians about the free services Quebec can offer them.
Quebec offers:
- temporary housing;
- assistance in finding permanent housing and relocation;
- pre-school and school education;
- provincial public health insurance, which includes the provision of medicines prescribed by a doctor;
- tax deduction for child care;
- help in finding a job;
- French courses.
There are English schools in Quebec, but the children of newcomers are required by local law to study only in French schools. The Association of English Schools of Quebec has asked the provincial government to show humanity to Ukrainian children, who will find it difficult to integrate into an educational process conducted in an unfamiliar language. So far, the Quebec government has not made a final decision on the matter.
Hotlines were created specifically for Ukrainians:
- For those outside of Quebec, +1-514-789-1866;
- For those in Quebec, +1-833-556-1866;
- For those in Montreal, +1-514-789-1866.
