Question Period Note: SERVICE CANADA SUPPORT TO UKRAINIAN NEWCOMERS
About
- Reference number:
- FCSD-JUN2022-024
- Date received:
- Jun 20, 2022
- Organization:
- Employment and Social Development Canada
- Name of Minister:
- Gould, Karina (Hon.)
- Title of Minister:
- Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Issue/Question:
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Government of Canada has announced that Canada is welcoming an unlimited number of Ukrainians. IRCC is introducing new immigration streams for Ukrainians who want to come to Canada temporarily or permanently. Ukrainians coming to Canada temporarily are travelling under a Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, a temporary resident authorization, and are not considered as refugees. These new arrivals are in addition to the thousands of other temporary and permanent residents Canada welcomes via other immigration channels.
Since June 2nd 2022, Ukrainians arriving in Canada can apply to receive transitional financial assistance. These funds will help Ukrainian nationals and their family members meet their basic needs—such as transportation and longer-term housing—as they arrive in communities across Canada and find a job. The benefit will consist of a direct, one-time payment of $3,000 per adult and $1,500 per child (17 years and under). As of June 15, 2022, 14,301 applications were approved for payments, which represents $53,904,000 of anticipated payout.
Service Canada is working with other Federal partners to support an integrated response to assist clients impacted by the crisis in the Ukraine and to deliver this financial assistance as quickly as possible to ensure that families have the necessary support they need. An outreach strategy has been developed which outlines Service Canada’s role in this response.
Additional assistance arise as Ukrainians continue to arrive in Canada. Associations and service provider organizations across the country are looking into options to help Ukrainians settle and expedite their career and work integration.
For example, the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) announced they are waiving fees for Ukrainians seeking to attain their designations in order to expedite the process.
Suggested Response:
• Service Canada’s outreach plan to support Ukrainian newcomers consists of various components, including outreach to organizations that support newcomers, direct outreach to clients through virtual information sessions, SIN issuance and provision of information at airports, where applicable.
• Upon arrival, information will be provided to newcomers about the Government of Canada programs and services, such as the Social Insurance Number, Benefits Finder, Foreign Credential Recognition program and Job Bank’s Jobs for Ukraine, Service Canada Centre appointment bookings and contact details.
• Service Canada officials are working closely with hundreds of partners across the country to provide a range of supports to help Ukrainian newcomers settle in Canada, including Job Bank and other initiatives to help individuals find work.
Background:
As the interlocutor with provincial service delivery providers including ministries of education, labour, training, and skills development and municipal partners, Service Canada will provide ongoing support to Ukrainian newcomers by engaging with our network of partners to ensure they obtain information and assistance to access all relevant programs, services and benefits
Additional Information:
None