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441-00535 (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 80% of Canadians support or can accept the Government's decision to allow Ukrainians to stay in Canada permanently.

We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately implement a government-assisted refugee program for 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 is committed to helping Ukrainians and has announced a number of measures to help people affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. For Ukrainians who want to come to Canada temporarily, the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel opened as of March 17, 2022, to an unlimited number of Ukrainians and their immediate family members fleeing the war. This is the fastest, safest, and most efficient way for Ukrainians and their immediate family members to come to Canada and eliminates many of the normal visa requirements. As of June 1, 2022, IRCC has already received more than 278,000 applications under this program and approved over 127,000 applications. The latest key figures are available on the IRCC Website. On March 30, 2022, the Government of Canada announced that Ukrainians entering Canada as temporary residents will have access to settlement services, which are typically only available to permanent residents. Settlement services include language training, orientation, employment-related services and other supports for Ukrainians as they settle into their new communities.  On April 9, 2022, the Prime Minister announced additional measures including targeted charter flights; short-term income support to ensure basic needs are met; and temporary hotel accommodation for up to two weeks. Further, in recognition that many Canadians and permanent residents have family in Ukraine, IRCC is quickly implementing a special family reunification sponsorship pathway. On May 11, 2022, the Government of Canada announced three federal charter flights to Canada from Warsaw, Poland for people approved through the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel program and their family members. The first charter flight brought 328 Ukrainians to Winnipeg, Manitoba, on May 23, and the second brought 306 people to Montréal, Quebec, on May 29. The third federal charter flight carrying 319 Ukrainians arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia on June 2, 2022. Furthermore, on June 2, 2022, the Government of Canada announced that Ukrainians arriving in Canada can apply to receive a direct, one-time transitional financial assistance payment, to help them meet their basic needs while they get settled in communities across the country.

While the measures above fall outside of Canada’s Refugee Resettlement Program, the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel allows for large numbers of Ukrainians in need to arrive in Canada more quickly than traditional refugee pathways.  

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) or other designated referral agency refers refugees to the Government of Canada under the Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR) Program. Individuals who are most at risk of persecution and have no other access to a durable solution may be referred under Canada’s resettlement programs. Individuals cannot apply directly to become a Government Assisted Refugee.

The Government will continue to monitor the evolving situation in Ukraine, and engage with provinces, territories, and other partners on how we can continue to collectively support these efforts.

Presented to the House of Commons
Dan Muys (Flamborough—Glanbrook)
June 6, 2022 (Petition No. 441-00535)
Government response tabled
September 20, 2022
Photo - Dan Muys
Flamborough—Glanbrook
Conservative Caucus
Ontario

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