Ontario will be at the 'front of the line' with job offers for Ukrainian refugees, Ford says

Premier Doug Ford said Ontario will open its arms to Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion, and says their skills will be welcome in a province with a pressing labour shortage he says is hurting the economy. 

Speaking at an announcement at a company that makes armoured vehicles in Dorchester, Ont., Ford said he wants the federal government to do everything it can to make it easier for Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression to settle in Ontario.

"We need to speed things up, expedite people fleeing the tyranny that Russia has put on Ukraine," he said. "It's absolutely disgusting and the rest of the world has to step up and Ontario is going to be at the front of the line welcoming people here. 

"The hard-working people of Ukraine will always be welcome here," he added.

Labour Minister Monte McNaughton, who also attended Friday's event, said he's spoken with Sean Fine, the immigration minister, offering to help set up a fast-track approval process for Ukrainian immigrants and refugees. He said Ontario companies have offered up to 20,000 jobs for Ukrainian refugees.

"It's all hands on deck and we want to help," said McNaughton.

It's difficult to tell how much the offer can help a country already overrun with Russian forces and that has now prohibited all men aged 18 to 60 from leaving. 

Ford said the immigration component is up to Ottawa but said if that can be overcome, there will be no shortage of jobs  for Ukrainians about to come here. 

"Let's load up those planes, and bring them here," he said.

Both Ford and McNaughton spoke at an event where they announced a plan they say will speed up the process of getting job accreditation from outside the province accepted in Ontario. The changes will apply to certain skilled, blue-collar jobs such as electricians and tool and die markers. 

Ford says new legislation will set a standard of 30 business days for out-of-province workers to get their skills recognized, a move he says will help address Ontario's severe labour shortage that has left more than 300,000 jobs unfilled. 

The provincial government has also directed the LCBO to stop selling Russian products.

Ontario will hold a provincial election on June 2.