Canada working to swiftly welcome Ukrainians fleeing Russian invasion: Trudeau
Global News
Opposition members pressed the federal government to ensure visa-free access for Ukrainians amid worsening humanitarian crisis during Russia war.
Canada is working to swiftly welcome Ukrainians fleeing their country in the midst of Russia’s invasion, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.
A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Europe, as more than half a million people have left Ukraine for neighbouring countries to seek refuge amid Moscow’s incursion — Europe’s biggest ground war since the Second World War.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, Trudeau said Canada’s ministry of immigration has seen an increase in the number of processed applications from Ukraine over the past few weeks as tensions boiled the Russian border.
“We’re also looking at the visas of the people who are here and the applications of people fleeing from Ukraine to let them come more quickly to Canada and even stay here after the end of this unfair war,” the prime minister said in French during a take-note debate on the conflict.
Trudeau said the federal government is also looking to ensure more resources for Ukrainians to be able to come to Canada on work permits and to stretch out the permits of those who are already here.
Since Jan. 19, nearly 4,000 immigration applications have been approved for Ukrainians, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said during a press conference on Monday. He said upon reports of a potential invasion by Russia, Canada began preparing for an influx of applicants more than a month ago.
After weeks of tensions and warnings from the West, Russia launched what it called a “special military operation” in Ukraine on Thursday.
In response to the invasion, Canada along with other Western nations have ramped up pressure on the Kremlin, imposing wide-ranging sanctions on Russian banks and individuals, including President Vladimir Putin, as well as sending weapons to Ukraine.
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