441-01648 (Foreign affairs)

Canada remains steadfast in its support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

On March 17, 2022, as part of the federal response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Government launched the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET). The CUAET was a special, accelerated pathway to help ensure that Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members of any nationality who were fleeing the conflict were able to quickly come to Canada to seek temporary safe haven. This initiative offered options to visit, work, or study during their three-year stay. The CUAET was the fastest, safest, and most efficient way for Ukrainians and their immediate family members to come to Canada and eliminated many of the normal visa requirements. There was no charge for immigration documents under this pathway, and its benefits also extended to Ukrainians and their immediate family members who were already here in Canada when the initiative launched, but could not safely go home. Applications under the CUAET were normally processed within 14 days (upon receipt of a complete, non-complex application), and there was no limit to the number of individuals who could apply. CUAET clients also benefit from in-Canada supports including transitional financial assistance, temporary accommodations, and settlement services.

As the situation in Ukraine has evolved, IRCC has monitored developments and adjusted its immigration response to ensure we continue to best support Ukrainians in need. On July 15, 2023, the Government closed overseas CUAET intake, after receiving over 1,191,000 applications. All applications received will be processed to completion. Ukrainians holding a CUAET visa will have until March 31, 2024 to travel to Canada under the special measures. CUAET visa holders will continue to benefit from all elements of the CUAET initiative (i.e., transitional financial assistance, temporary accommodations, extended stay options, and open work permits) through March 31, 2024, with settlement services until March 31, 2025.

Today, Ukrainians can still apply for a temporary resident visa to come to Canada, per regular requirements and fees. Once in Canada, Ukrainian temporary residents can apply before March 31, 2024 for an extended stay of up to three years, as well as study and open work permits. New Ukrainian arrivals continue to have access to settlement services, such as language training and employment support. However, access to temporary accommodations and transitional financial assistance are not available to clients who did not come to Canada with a CUAET visa.

On October 23, 2023, a new family reunification pathway was launched for those who wish to stay in Canada as permanent residents. To qualify, Ukrainian nationals must be in Canada with temporary resident status, and have a Canadian citizen or permanent resident family member in Canada. Those who are eligible include Ukrainian spouses, common-law partners, parents, grandparents, siblings, children or grandchildren of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

The Government of Canada condemns Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. The war is a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and a threat to global peace and security. President Putin’s war of choice is a war on freedom, democracy, and the rights of Ukrainians, and all people, to determine their own future.

Canada and its like-minded partners have been coordinating closely on responsive measures to enhance support for the people and government of Ukraine and to impose costs on Russian leadership. The Government of Canada’s support to Ukraine has been comprehensive. With a long relationship dating back to the end of the Cold War, Canada drew on a strong foundation of bilateral assistance and diplomatic ties when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Since 2022, the Government of Canada has committed over $9.5 billion in multifaceted assistance to Ukraine. Assistance is diverse and all-encompassing, including military, development, humanitarian, security and stabilization and financial assistance. Support through financial assistance, expertise, sanctions, and diplomacy also addresses vitally important challenges such as constraining Russia's ability to finance its war, holding Russia to account for massive violations of international law, countering Russian disinformation, and addressing the global impact of the war on food security and energy.

Diplomatically, Canada has played a central role in supporting the four UNGA resolutions denouncing the war as illegal and issuing statements and other actions across multiple multilateral organizations to hold Russia to account. Canada has also played a key leadership role across G7, G20, NATO, and other groupings, leading to an unsurpassed level of collective action and coordination.

Specifically, in terms of humanitarian assistance, Canada has committed over $352 million since January 2022, in response to the humanitarian impacts of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Of this, $330 million has been allocated to UN organizations, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and non-governmental organizations. These funds support gender-responsive programming aligned with the UN’s Humanitarian Response Plan in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, including emergency health interventions, protection services, and other urgent assistance such as food, water, and shelter. Targeted allocations also allowed Canada to respond to urgent needs as they arose, such as funding for winterization initiatives and the Kakhovka dam crisis. Programming also integrates components addressing child protection, mental health, and psychosocial support, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) needs.

As part of its early response, Canada also provided additional support to aid the rapid scale-up of humanitarian operations shortly after the escalation of conflict in February 2022. This includes over 377,000 essential relief items from Canada’s National Emergency Strategic Stockpile and Canada’s humanitarian stockpiles managed in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross. These items were specifically requested by partners and have been dispatched to Ukraine and neighbouring countries. Canada’s early support also enabled the deployment of humanitarian and logistics experts to the UN agencies to surge capacity.

In April 2022, the Prime Minister of Canada co-convened the Stand Up for Ukraine pledging event with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, with the participation of the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, in a worldwide show of solidarity with Ukraine, and in partnership with international advocacy organization Global Citizen. The campaign raised over $12.4 billion in pledges from around the world to support Ukrainian refugees and address the humanitarian crisis.

Humanitarian allocations for 2024 are currently being determined, based on a variety of factors. Canada’s assistance will continue to be aligned with the UN’s Humanitarian Response Plan and include support for previously mentioned areas. Programming will also continue to integrate components addressing child protection, mental health, psychosocial support, and SGBV needs. The support will have a geographical focus on the frontline, particularly in eastern and southern oblasts where possible.

During President Zelenskyy’s visit to Canada in September 2023, the Prime Minister of Canada announced that “Canada is shifting our approach to provide multi-year assistance and ensure Ukraine has the predictable support it needs for long-term success.” As part of this new multi-year approach, and to continue Canada’s military support for Ukraine, the Government of Canada has recently introduced a new investment of $650 million over three years to supply Ukraine with 50 armoured vehicles. Additionally, Canada has launched a discussion with Ukraine on long-term bilateral commitments, in line with the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine. This will aim to build on existing Canadian and Ukrainian efforts on a range of priorities and will enhance and guide bilateral cooperation for years to come.

Canada is committed to continuing support for both Ukraine’s immediate needs along with essential recovery and reconstruction priorities identified by the Government of Ukraine’s Plan. Canada’s increased focus on multi-year assistance, including multi-year military support and international assistance, is helping to ensure Ukraine has the predictable support it needs for the long-term beyond humanitarian assistance towards sustainable growth and is working in coordination with other donors.

Canada and Ukraine are in constant contact about Ukraine’s security needs and priorities, which include Ukraine’s efforts to restore and secure Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders, including its territorial waters, and advance its progress towards Euro-Atlantic integration. Canada also supports Ukraine’s current initiative for a just and sustainable peace based on its sovereignty and territorial integrity and commends the key principles of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula. A peace settlement must defend the UN Charter, be based on international law, and preserve Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Government of Canada has provided multifaceted assistance to support Ukraine’s security and defence. Canada has committed over $2.4 billion in military aid to Ukraine, including a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) and associated munitions from the US, air defence missiles, armoured combat support vehicles (ACSVs), commercial pattern armoured vehicles to allow for the safe transport of personnel and equipment, M-777 artillery guns and spare parts, 155 mm ammunition, small arms and ammunition, anti-armour weapons and ammunition, high-resolution cameras, de-mining equipment, and satellite imagery and communications. Canada has also supplied Ukraine with eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) inventory and contributed $30 million to the Leopard 2 Maintenance and Service Centre in Poland. The Maintenance and Service Centre will help repair and sustain Ukraine’s fleet of Leopard 2 main battle tanks. Canada has also provided non-lethal military equipment such as helmets, body armour, gas masks, night vision gear, winter clothing, etc. Canada will also contribute to multinational efforts to train pilots, technicians, and support staff to operate and maintain Ukraine’s F-16s, leveraging Canadian expertise in these areas.

Ukraine and its civilians have consistently been the victims of appalling atrocities by Russian armed forces, which Canada has condemned. The attacks on civilian infrastructure and civilians constitute grave breaches of international humanitarian law. Canada will not spare any effort to ensure that violations of international law in Ukraine are investigated, evidence is gathered, and perpetrators are held to account.

These brutal attacks, including Russian airstrikes, have caused immense suffering for civilians. Any establishment and enforcement of a no-fly zone outside the UN Security Council, which is not a viable option given Russia’s veto power, could risk triggering a larger international conflict with Russia. Canada and its NATO Allies have a responsibility to prevent this war from escalating beyond Ukraine, which would be even more dangerous and devastating to civilian populations.

The Government of Canada is focusing on providing Ukraine with effective military support that will impact their defence against Russian forces. Canada will sustain its political, financial, humanitarian, and military support to Ukraine for the long term – individually and through international cooperation within the G7, NATO, the United Nations, and any other forum where Canada can bring its weight to bear in order to build and sustain support and solidarity for Ukraine.

As of 18 October2023

Canada is making critical contributions to support Ukraine’s military, through the provision of non-lethal and lethal military aid, and transport of Canadian and Allied equipment to Ukraine.

Since February 2022, Canada has committed more than $2.4 billion in military aid to Ukraine. This includes the Prime Minister’s recent announcement of $650 million in funding for Canadian-made armoured vehicles for Ukraine. To date our donations include armoured combat support vehicles, Leopard 2 main battle tanks, an armoured recovery vehicle, M777 howitzers and associated ammunition, armoured vehicles, winter clothing and equipment, small arms and ammunition, demining equipment, high-resolution cameras for drones, and satellite imagery.

The Canadian Armed Forces is also assisting with the delivery of aid within Europe and has transported over 14 million pounds of military donations on behalf of our allies and partners. In September 2022, Canada increased its contribution in this area, with a third aircraft deployed to Europe and additional personnel added to the Prestwick hub in Scotland.

Canada will continue to work with key allies and partners—including the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the G7, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the United Nations, the European Union, and the international community—to support Ukraine and ensure they receive the lethal military aid and supplies they need.

The Minister of National Defence remains in close contact with Ukraine’s Minister of Defence to discuss Ukraine’s most pressing security needs and how Canada can best continue to help.

For more information on Canada’s comprehensive military aid to Ukraine, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/campaigns/canadian-military-support-to-ukraine.html.