Supporting Displaced Ukrainians
Settlement Information & Resources
Information and resources will be shared here by OCASI - the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants for the Ontario Settlement Sector about the current services, supports and programs available for displaced Ukrainians arriving in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) pathway.
Latest Resources
Government Updates & Information
The Government of Canada has put measures in place to help Ukrainians coming to Canada due to the crisis in their country.
IRCC
Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) established a dedicated service channel for Ukraine enquiries that will be available both in Canada and abroad at 613-321-4243, with collect calls accepted. In addition, you can now add the keyword Ukraine2022 to the IRCC Web form with your questions and your email will be prioritized.
The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) is available to Ukrainians who want to come to Canada temporarily. There will be no limit to the number of Ukrainians who can apply through this pathway and eliminates many of the normal visa requirements. All eligible Ukrainian nationals may be able to stay in Canada for up to 3 years so long as they meet the criteria of the CUAET.
IRCC is also waiving many of the fees for eligible travel and immigration documents, such as Canadian passports, permanent resident travel documents, proofs of citizenship, visitor visas, and work and study permits.
Determining Eligibility for Ukrainian Temporary Residents and their Dependents
Airport Welcome Package
Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society (CUIAS) will greet new Ukrainian arrivals at Pearson airport and book them into federally funded hotels for their 14-day stay. CUIAS can be reached by phone and email when CUIAS is not there at the airport: 1-888-557-6133 and welcomeon@cuias.org
This Welcome Package has a list of things you should do before arrival and during your first days in Canada.
IRB
The Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) has stated there will be a prioritizing of pending Ukrainian files.
CBSA
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has an Administrative Deferral of Removals (ADR) in place for Ukraine. An ADR is a temporary measure that can delay a removal order that would normally require a person to leave Canada immediately. You can read more about this ADR on the CBSA website.
Housing
Agencies can connect with their regional focal point agency to discuss offers of housing in their area. OCASI is the Ontario Hub for donations and has a process in place for disbursing housing offers for all regions outside of the GTA. If you don’t know which agency is the focal point for your region, send us an email and we will connect you.
COSTI is the lead agency for housing host offers within the GTA.
Airbnb Donations for Ukrainian Temporary Residents
Health
Ukrainians arriving in Ontario through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) pathway are eligible for Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) and have access to drug benefits and mental health services.
Employment & Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is now available to help Ukrainian families who are in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET). The assistance is a one-time, non-taxable benefit.
Ukrainians applying for financial assistance will need to open a Canadian bank account. Most banks will ask for a Social Insurance Number (SIN), this is for tax purposes, and they do not need a SIN to apply for financial assistance.
The Government of Canada has created a page to assist Ukrainian nationals looking for employment and employers who wish to hire them.
The Loblaw company has created a dedicated Employment page with jobs and resources for displaced Ukrainians.
Education & Childcare
Subsidized Childcare
Families arriving under the CUAET pathway are eligible for childcare subsidies through their municipality. Displaced Ukrainians in Canada under the CUAET pathway are not eligible for the Canada Child Benefit or the Ontario Child Benefit until they have met the residency requirements and other eligibility criteria.
School Enrollment
Children arriving under the CUAET pathway can attend publicly funded schools for free.
Post Secondary
Financial support for displaced Ukrainians studying at Ontario’s publicly assisted colleges and universities beginning in September 2022 through the Ontario-Ukraine Solidarity Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded to individual students through their college or university based on merit and financial need.
Financial support of up to $28,000 through our province’s Second Career Program, for those who apply and are eligible, for basic living allowances, tuition, transportation, and other critical needs.
Language Learning
Ukrainians arriving in Ontario through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) pathway are eligible to learn English through both Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs.
Translation Tools Available
Google Translate offers free translation tools for text documents and websites. If using the app on your smartphone you may also be able to use it as a real-time interpreter for voice. Google Lens is also available on some platforms and allows you to translate text using your phone’s camera.
Senior Supports
Seniors that came to Canada via the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) pathway may be eligible for additional support. Programs such as the Ontario Drug Benefit program, Assistive Devices Program, and Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program are just a few that Ukrainian Seniors.
Legal Information
Ukrainians in Canada: Special Immigration Measures and Supports for Temporary Residents from CLEO Lunch and Learn Q&A
Ontario Donations Portal
If you would like to support displaced Ukrainians arriving in Ontario, the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) is currently accepting offers of support through the donation portal. If your organization has an identified need please contact our team directly at odp@ocasi.org.