The Canadian government has decided to open new immigration streams for Ukrainians, especially for those fleeing from the Russian-launched war.
Canada has the third largest Ukrainian diaspora in the world, with some 1.4 million people. As such, it is looking to do its part to assist as many Ukrainians as possible.
Canada will prioritize immigration applications for Ukrainians who want to come to Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters on Thursday morning and is arranging safe travel out of Ukraine for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
“Canada is ready to welcome Ukrainians fleeing Vladimir Putin’s war, and there is no limit to the number of applications that we are going to be willing to accept,” said Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser on Thursday.
The Canadian government previously said IRCC is prioritizing applications for people living in Ukraine who want to travel to Canada for work, study, to reunite with family, or to immigrate.
Canada is also prioritizing processing travel documents for Canadians and their family members who wish to return from Ukraine. IRCC will issue single-journey travel documents for immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who do not have valid passports.
Ukrainian nationals in Canada can apply to extend their status as a visitor, student or worker. Canada will prioritize the renewal of work and study permits for Ukrainian nationals, and extend a policy that allows people to apply for a work permit from within Canada. Temporary residents who receive a job offer are allowed to remain in Canada and start working while they wait for their work permit application to be processed.
Canada is also revoking Russia and Belarus’ “most-favoured nation status” as trading partners, meaning they will be subjected to a 35 per cent tariff on their exports to Canada.
Canada is the first country to take this step, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Thursday, adding that the only other nation subject to these measures with Canada is North Korea.
“We are working closely with our partners and allies to encourage them to take the same step,” Freeland said.
Referencing the latest round of sanctions levied on 10 Russian executives, Freeland said that the total number of people and entities sanctioned by Canada since Russia’s occupation of Crimea in 2014, has now risen to more than 1,000.
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