The Province is welcoming Ukrainian refugee families and has critical support in place for them.
Up to $300 million has been announced to support the Ukrainian community as they arrive from their war-torn homeland.
Premier Doug Ford outlined the aid at a press conference today.
“This will include expanded OHIP and drug coverage, emergency housing, and income support for those who qualify,” he said. “We’re also ensuring that elementary and high school students coming from Ukraine can attend publicly funded schools here in Ontario for free to minimize the disruption to their education and to recognize the hardship they have just endured, we plan to offer offering trauma-informed counseling.”
Today’s announcement also included support for persons who have been admitted to Canada on an emergency basis for humanitarian reasons studying at Ontario’s publicly assisted colleges and universities through a new provincial $1.9 million Ontario-Ukraine Solidarity Scholarship and 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.
These measures will ensure that Ukrainian arrivals have access to good-paying jobs and economic opportunities while building on the government’s ongoing efforts to attract, support and protect newcomers. In addition, hundreds of Ontario businesses have offered Ukrainian arrivals employment and assistance.
“As the minister responsible for immigration, my heart goes out to families fleeing this tragedy. Ontario is doing everything in its power to support the people of Ukraine. True to the Ontario spirit, our message to Ukrainians is simple: Ontario stands with you, and Ontario’s arms are open to you – the people of Ontario will take care of you,” says Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “Ontario’s economy is set to boom. With over 338,000 good jobs waiting to be filled and hundreds of Ontario businesses who have stepped up with job offers, we are in a strong position to welcome Ukrainian newcomers and help them find good jobs when they are ready to work.”
The government is providing an increase of $900,000 over three years to the Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society to deliver targeted settlement services. The funding will help Ukrainian newcomers get settled, find housing, and access services such as mental health supports, education for children, language instruction for adults, and employment and training supports.
The province is also currently working to deliver thousands of urgently needed medical supplies and equipment, including defibrillators, syringes, and ICU supplies to Ukraine. We are working very closely with our international partners to make sure these supplies can help Ukrainians through this humanitarian crisis.
Ford also says a dedicated new hotline will connect Ukrainian refugees with local jobs.
It’s 1-888-562-4769 and there’s a new email account that will do the same.
It’s ukrainianjobs@ontario.ca
Now more than ever we stand shoulder to shoulder with all Ukrainians & will always support our friends in their time need.
We've launched a way to connect Ukrainian newcomers with local employers to help find them a job.
📱 1-888-562-4769.
🖥 ukrainianjobs@ontario.ca pic.twitter.com/PS4lkT1gjl— Doug Ford (@fordnation) April 6, 2022