Federal government announces measures to assist Ukrainians seeking to come to Canada
Posted April 9, 2022 1:48 pm.
Last Updated April 9, 2022 11:51 pm.
The federal government is exempting more Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion from providing biometrics before coming to Canada.
It’s one of a number of measures the government announced Saturday to make it easier to access the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel.
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser says Canada won’t require biometrics from people under the age of 18, over the age of 60, and those with previous Canadian visas that have no immigration issues.
Previously in those cases, it was left up to the “decision maker’s discretion” whether to collect biometrics — fingerprints and a photo.
Fraser said the government is making the move to “reduce the pressure on biometrics collection.”
Canada has already approved more than 30,000 applications under the program, according to Fraser.
RELATED: Canada’s Ukraine refugee plan praised, but questions raised about other war escapees
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an additional $100 million in humanitarian support to respond to the crisis in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.
He also says targeted charter flights will be offered to Ukrainians coming to Canada.
Trudeau said Ukrainians arriving in Canada will be eligible for up to six weeks of income support, and two weeks of temporary hotel accommodation.
Trudeau and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke on the phone Saturday, in a statement released by the prime minister’s office.
The two leaders condemned the continuing Russian military aggression against Ukraine, the recent atrocities in Bucha, and at the train station in Kramatorsk.
Both called on Russia to end its targeting of civilians and to withdraw its military forces from Ukraine immediately.
Zelenskyy thanked Trudeau for his role in the “Stand up for Ukraine” conference earlier in the day with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in partnership with Global Citizen, which raised more than $12 billion for Ukrainian refugees and those residents who have been displaced, the statement read.
Trudeau and Zelenskyy also further discussed Ukraine’s ongoing need for military and financial assistance and how Canada can support the invaded country.
Read more about what we discussed here: https://t.co/1JRHUnGFjI
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 9, 2022
