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441-00267 (Foreign affairs)

Paper petition

Original language of petition: English

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

Whereas:

  • The Russian Federation has launched an unprovoked war against the people of Ukraine;
  • The Russian Federation has committed multiple war crimes against the people of Ukraine;
  • The Russian invasion has triggered a human rights, humanitarian, and displacement crisis, the worst such catastrophe in recent European history;
  • As of March 10, 2022, the World Health Organisation estimates that at least 18 hospitals have been attacked by Russian forces since the beginning of invasion;
  • Canada is home to 1.4 million citizens of Ukrainian descent and has a deep and unflinching commitment to the people of Ukraine;
  • As of March 11, 2022, over 2 million Ukrainian refugees have gone to neighbouring European countries; and
  • Abacus Data's public poll on March 9, 2022, shows that 85% of Canadians support or can accept the Government's implementation of visa-free travel for Ukrainians to enter Canada.

We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately waive all visa requirements and grant visa-free travel to Ukrainians.

Response by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Marie-France Lalonde, M.P.

The Government of Canada has taken a strong stance against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and is committed to helping Ukrainian nationals and their family members overseas and in Canada. Canada and Ukraine maintain a close friendship built on shared values and strong-people-to-people ties.

Canada has implemented a number of effective immigration solutions to help the people of Ukraine, including the launch of the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) on March 17, 2022. The CUAET is the fastest, safest, and most efficient way for Ukrainians and their immediate family members (of any nationality) to seek temporary safe haven in Canada. This new measure eases many of the normal visa requirements, eliminates most application and processing fees, and offers accelerated processing.

Canada’s visa policy decisions are made on a country-by-country basis. A range of objective criteria are considered before lifting a country’s visa requirement, involving a complex process similar to those of like-minded partners. Canada’s relationship with the country is a key consideration, but so too is the safety and security of Canadians, and the importance of maintaining a well-managed migration system. It takes time to complete a comprehensive visa review, and Ukrainians need help urgently. Ukraine’s visa requirement is not currently under review, but the situation is being monitored very closely to ensure the people of Ukraine continue to receive the support they need.

Presented to the House of Commons
Pat Kelly (Calgary Rocky Ridge)
March 24, 2022 (Petition No. 441-00267)
Government response tabled
May 9, 2022
Photo - Pat Kelly
Calgary Rocky Ridge
Conservative Caucus
Alberta

Only validated signatures are counted towards the total number of signatures.