Advertisement
The prime minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau attended a news conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on February 24, 2022 and at the news conference, the Prime Minister said that the immigration applications for Ukrainians who want to come to Canada would be taken more seriously and with much importance and that there would be a phone line for urgent questions.
He said that “the telephone line +1 613-996-8885 is for anyone at home or abroad with urgent Ukraine-related immigration questions. It was set up to ensure that we serve people as quickly as possible.”
Prime Minister Trudeau further said “Canadians and permanent residents in Ukraine: your safety and security are now our top priority and we also want to make sure you can get to safety. We have arranged a safe passage for you and your families at the land borders with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova.”
“Travel documents for affected Canadians, permanent residents and their immediate family members were being issued urgently.”
Trudeau also added that he has spoken to Ukrainian-Canadians recently and he told them that he believed that President Putin underestimated the strength and resolve of the Ukrainian people.
He said “These are traits of Ukrainian-Canadians too. You have helped build this country. You are proud of your culture and your heritage and you don’t back down. Well, neither will Canada.”
The neighboring countries of Ukraine such as Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania are preparing for an influx of refugees from Ukraine.
The refugees that entered Poland were allowed to do so without a negative COVID test as Poland has lifted restrictions on Thursday for those fleeing Ukraine. They also set up medical trains to take injured people to the hospital and set up reception points near border crossings.
Advertisement
The Czech Republic which does not border Ukraine also provided assistance by providing rail cars for evacuation if needed, the Slovakian, Hungarian and Romanian prime ministers said they would provide humanitarian support and are ready to help refugees.
Germany offered humanitarian aid to countries bordering Ukraine too.
Ottawa Speeds up Immigration process for Ukrainians
A lot of measures have been put in place to allow Ukrainians living in Canada to extend their stay. Ottawa is responding to the immigration applications for Ukrainians that are leaving Ukrainians because of the conflict. This was reported by the Canada’s minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship on Thursday.
Sean Fraser made his comments hours after Russia launched its attack on Ukraine with reports of explosions in the Capital city Kyiv and roads gridlocked with residents trying to flee.
He said that his department has already approved more than 1,800 Ukrainian immigration applications on a priority basis.
The MP of Central Nova who was speaking at a funding announcement for long-term care in Chester, N.S said “we will be looking to do more.”
Fraser also added that he spoke with the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday evening and the Ukrainian-Canadian Congress. “To identify the right path forward, to make sure that we are meeting the needs of people who are currently seeking to leave Ukraine for safety.”
He said that his department has been working on a “suite of measures” in response to the long awaited invasion since January 19 calling Russia’s attack “the biggest threat to the global legal order since the end of the Second World War.”
He further explained that with the present situation, Ottawa has added more staff in Warsaw, Vienna and Bucharest and has provided mobile biometric units to speed up the processing of people looking to flee Ukraine.
He also said that measures were being put in place to allow Ukrainians in Canada to extend their stay until it is safe to return home.