441-00241 (Foreign affairs)

In support of those affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we’ve created the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) to help Ukrainians and their family members come to Canada as quickly as possible and to provide them with the ability to work and study while in Canada.  The CUAET also gives those who are already in Canada the option to extend their visitor status, work permit or study permit so that they can continue to live and work or study in Canada temporarily.

The Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) is one of the many special measures the Government of Canada has introduced to support the people of Ukraine. It offers Ukrainians and their family members extended temporary status and allows them to work, study and stay in Canada until it is safe for them to return home.

Ukrainians and their family members coming to Canada from overseas:

• can apply for a fee exempt visitor visa and may be allowed to stay in Canada for 3 years, as opposed to the standard 6-month authorized stay for regular visitors;
• have the option to apply for an open work permit with their visa application, enabling them to work as quickly as possible;
• will have their electronic visa application processed within 14 days of receipt of a complete application, for standard, non-complex cases;
• are exempt from Canada’s COVID-19 vaccination entry requirements, but must meet all other public health requirements for travel, such as quarantine and testing. With limited exceptions, all travellers to Canada, including anyone arriving under the CUAET, must also use ArriveCAN;
• are exempt from completing an immigration medical exam (IME) overseas, if applicable, but may be required to complete and pay for a medical diagnostic test within 90 days of arrival in Canada to screen for reportable communicable diseases (chest x-ray or suitable alternative and blood test).

Ukrainians and their family members who acquire or already have temporary status in Canada:

• may apply to extend their temporary resident status for up to 3 years;
• can leave and return to Canada at any time while their visa is valid;
• may renew their work or study permit
• may apply for a new work or study permit;
• are eligible to attend elementary and secondary school;
• may be required to complete and pay for an immigration medical exam (IME) if they haven’t completed one on initial entry to Canada.

All Ukrainians and their family members:

• will have most of their application fees waived, including the visa application fee, biometric collection fee, work and study permit application fees, and visitor extension, and work and study permit renewal fees;
• will have all their IRCC applications prioritized for processing (14 days for non complex and complete applications);
• may apply for permanent residence under a variety of different immigration programs and streams if they are eligible to do so;
• have access to IRCC’s dedicated service channel.

IRCC has increased operational readiness in Europe in anticipation of an increased volume of requests. This includes relocating staff and moving additional supplies and equipment, such as mobile biometric collection kits. We are also adjusting operations in offices across our global network to ensure service continuity for Ukraine. Online options are available for most applications.

Canada will continue to support those fleeing the war in Ukraine. We're expanding the federal settlement program to offer key services such as language training, orientation, employment assistance and other supports for Ukrainians as they settle into their new communities.

The Budget 2022 provides additional funding to bolster Canada’s response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and details some measures already in place, including the funding of $111 million over 5 years, with $6 million in future years, to implement new immigration measures for Ukrainians. This funding will help to set up the new immigration pathways, expedite the processing of applications, and provide support to Ukrainians once they arrive in Canada.

We're working with our provincial and territorial partners, the Ukrainian-Canadian community, the business community, and settlement organizations across the country to develop more ways to support those in Canada, as Ukraine bravely defends their homeland against Putin‘s war.

The Government of Canada thanks the petitioners from Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon for sharing their views on the importance of helping Ukrainians refugees to find housing. We know how important it is that everyone, including Ukrainian refugees fleeing war, has access to a safe and affordable place to call home. That is why our government introduced Canada’s first-ever National Housing Strategy (NHS), a more than $72 billion ten-year plan to help ensure Canadians get the housing they need. Since 2015, we have invested over $30 billion dollars into housing, and have created programs like the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI), which is building 10,000 new housing units for those in greatest need. This includes recent immigrants and especially refugees.

On April 9, 2018, as part of the NHS, a new Federal/Provincial/Territorial (FPT) Housing Partnership Framework was endorsed by all FPT Ministers responsible for housing (except by Quebec), setting the foundation for NHS initiatives cost-matched and delivered by provinces and territories.

The Government has announced new bilateral agreements with all 13 provincial and territorial partners, with total signed agreements representing over $13.5 billion in joint funding over 10 years to protect, renew and expand community housing, and support provincial priorities related to housing repairs, construction and affordability.

This partnership made possible the $8.6 billion Canada Community Housing Initiative (CCHi) to protect, regenerate and expand community housing administered by provinces and territories, and supported by former federal programs. Provinces and territories have committed over $477 million to support over 103,600 units.

The provinces and territories' priority funding is a $2.2 billion joint investment to address distinct provincial and territorial housing needs and priorities, including affordability, repair and construction. Provinces and territories have committed over $868 million to support over 143,700 units (this does not include households receiving affordability support in Quebec in 2020/21).

The Canada Housing Benefit (CHB) is a $4 billion program that provides financial assistance directly to families and individuals in housing need to help pay their rent. Provinces have committed over $154 million to support over 43,800 households.

All the progress for NHS’ programs and initiatives can be followed on the Place to Call home website: https://www.placetocallhome.ca/progress-on-the-national-housing-strategy

Please note that this does not take into account initiatives underway by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) on this matter.

As of May 2, 2022

Canada has stood firmly with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in the face of unwarranted Russian aggression as they fight to defend their sovereignty, freedom, and independence.

Parts 1 and 3

In September 2015, National Defence launched Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces military training and capacity-building mission in Ukraine. Through Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces trained over 33,000 members of Ukraine’s security forces, and this is the force that is now bravely defending itself against Russian forces today.  

In the wake of Russia’s recent full-scale invasion of Ukraine, National Defence has been unwavering in its support and will continue to supply Ukraine with the tools and equipment it needs to defend its sovereignty and security and to win this war.

Since January 2022, National Defence provided nearly $120 million in military equipment requested by Ukraine, including armoured vehicles, heavy artillery, body armour, gas masks, helmets, anti-armour weapons systems, rocket launchers, small arms and ammunition, as well as other highly specialized pieces of military equipment. National Defence has also helped bolster Ukraine’s resilience in cyber space, in conjunction with the Communications Security Establishment. Millions of dollars’ worth of our aid has arrived in Ukraine and is making a difference on the ground at this very moment.

Moreover, Budget 2022 designated $500 million towards further military aid for Ukraine.

Additionally, approximately 120 Canadian Armed Forces personnel have been deployed to Poland – under Operation REASSURANCE – to provide care and support to Ukrainian refugees fleeing violence and to support our Polish allies.

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

National Defence will continue to support Ukraine through strong, comprehensive military aid in collaboration with our Allies and partners. For example, Canada has deployed two CC-130 aircraft to Europe to transport military equipment towards Ukraine. This includes equipment from Canada and our allies. These aircraft have delivered well over 1 million pounds of aid so far, and this work continues every single day.

In order to maintain operational security for our personnel and Ukrainian forces, we are not providing detailed information on deliveries. Similarly, National Defence cannot publicise further details regarding future military aid due to operational security considerations.

Part 2

To reinforce our deterrence measures in Europe in the face of rising tensions, we announced on February 22, 2022 that Canada is increasing its military contributions in support of NATO under Operation REASSURANCE – Canada’s largest current international military operation. Our current contributions to Operation REASSURANCE include:

• Approximately 1,475 Canadian Armed Forces Members, making it Canada’s largest military operation, including up to 695 Canadian Armed Forces members leading NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia;
• A Halifax-class Frigate (HMCS Montreal) deployed with Standing NATO Maritime Group 2;
• An additional frigate, HMCS Halifax, deployed with Standing NATO Maritime Group 1.
• 140 members of the Royal Canadian Air Force and approximately 5 CF-188 Hornet aircraft participating in NATO enhanced Air Policing on a rotational basis, and one CP-140 Aurora long range patrol aircraft; and
• Approximately 120 CAF personnel deployed to Poland to support and care for Ukrainians fleeing violence.

Furthermore, the Canadian Armed Forces has placed 3,400 members across all branches of service at a higher state of readiness to deploy should these forces be required by NATO. Due to operational security issues, further details on the capabilities and readiness levels of the Canadian Armed Forces personnel cannot be provided.

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

Canada and its likeminded partners have been united in ensuring that President Putin and his enablers answer for their actions. Countries have been coordinating closely on responsive measures to enhance support for the people and government of Ukraine and to impose costs on the Russian leadership.

Since Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the Government of Canada has provided multifaceted assistance to support Ukraine’s security and defence, including through the authorization of more than $160 million in military aid, and an additional $500 million announced on April 7 as part of the federal budget announcement. Military aid includes rocket launchers, grenades, anti-tank weapons, small arms, and ammunition. Canada has also recently contributed M777 howitzers, on which Canadian troops will be training Ukrainian forces, a large number of additional Carl Gustaf anti-armour ammunition, and finalized contracts for eight commercial patterned armoured vehicles that will be sent to Ukraine as soon as possible. Canada’s Operation UNIFIER trained nearly 35,000 members of the Ukrainian military and security forces since its establishment in 2015. Canada is committed to providing Ukraine additional resources to help support its defence needs.

Through Global Affairs Canada’s Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs), Canada has been supporting Ukraine with more than $10 million per year in peace and security programming, including: support to the country’s defence and broader security sector; advancing the women, peace and security agenda; and building resilience to disinformation. Since Russia’s February 2022 invasion, PSOPs has developed in excess of $9 million in new stabilization programming with partners to support Ukrainian resistance and resilience. This programming focuses on supporting Ukrainian civil society and human rights organizations, scaling up mine action efforts, and monitoring and documenting human rights violations.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister announced $13.4 million over five years to support the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) to counter diverse and evolving foreign threats to democracy, including disinformation. In the context of Russian aggression in Ukraine, the G7 RRM is monitoring the evolving information environment, sharing assessments, and identifying areas for international collaboration. The G7 RRM is also ramping up collective engagement with civil society and social media platforms to tackle Russia’s unprecedented information war.

Canada is also taking steps to remove Russian propaganda and false narratives from Canadian airwaves. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission decided that RT (formerly known as Russia Today) can no longer be distributed by Canadian television service providers as its programming is not in the public interest and is not consistent with Canada’s broadcasting standards.

The Government of Canada is also acting to hold President Putin and the Russian regime accountable for the invasion of Ukraine and the atrocities being committed there.

Since February 2022, Canada has announced several rounds of severe and hard-hitting sanctions against nearly 1000 individuals and entities under the Special Economic Measures Act. This includes senior members of the Russian government, military, and oligarchs, including President Putin, his daughters, and his inner circle.

We have also imposed sanctions on senior officials of the Belarusian regime, military entities and specific industries, as well as Ukrainian disinformation agents responsible for facilitating and enabling Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

These measures are being implemented in close coordination with Canada’s trusted partners including the United States, United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and others. Collective action has been key to putting effective and impactful economic measures in place.

Canada has also severely restricted Russia’s access to the global financial system, including sanctioning the Russian Central Bank and major Russian financial institutions, and supporting efforts to remove key Russian banks from the SWIFT financial system. Canada also revoked Russia and Belarus’ Most Favoured Nation status, applying a 35% tariff on all imports from Russia and Belarus.

In addition, Canada has imposed broader sanctions, including prohibitions against the purchase of specific Russian petroleum products, closing its airspace to Russian and Belarusian planes, and banning Russian ships from docking in Canada or passing through Canadian waters. Furthermore, Canada has prohibited the export to Russia and Belarus of a broad range of items related to electronics, computers, telecommunications, sensors and lasers, navigation and avionics, marine, aerospace, and transportation. Most recently, Canada sanctioned another 33 military entities directly or indirectly supporting the Russian government. These decisions will help undermine and erode the capabilities of the Russian and Belarusian military.

In coordination with allies and partners, Canada will continue to escalate sanctions and close loopholes to maximize pressure against the Russian regime, until President Putin stops his war and turns to good-faith diplomacy. These measures are designed to hit at the heart of Russia’s economy and limit its ability to fund the war.

Budget 2022 is now proposing measures to not only seize but to allow for the forfeiture and disposal of the assets of sanctioned individuals and entities. These measures will further allow Canada to redistribute the proceeds of these forfeitures for post-war reconstruction, restoration of international peace and security, and compensation to victims These changes will make Canada’s sanctions regime a leader in the G7.

On the humanitarian assistance front, since January 2022, the Government of Canada has announced $245 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. To date, $145 million has been allocated to United Nations organizations, the Red Cross Movement and non-governmental organizations. This also includes a $30 million matching fund with the Canadian Red Cross, which has raised over $128.5 million in addition to the funds committed by the Government of Canada.

On April 9, 2022, the Prime Minister and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, cohosted the “Stand Up for Ukraine” pledging event to rally a broad base of support, which raised over $12.4 billion in pledges. The funds will help to provide emergency health services, protection, and meet other urgent needs including food, water and shelter. The Prime Minister also announced the provision of 345,000 relief supplies from Canada’s National Emergency Stockpiles. These supplies are part of Canada’s efforts to address gaps in the relief pipeline by delivering essential non-food items to Ukraine and the region, and are in addition to the 31,000 supplies already provided from Global Affairs Canada stockpiles.

Canada’s humanitarian assistance is complemented by an increase of $35 million in development assistance that addresses emerging priorities, including supporting the resilience of Ukraine's government institutions and civil society organizations so they can meet the needs of Ukrainians, in particular women and vulnerable groups. Canada has also provided fast flexibility to development partners to allow them to rapidly shift project activities to address immediate needs, protect previous development gains, and mitigate the impact of the invasion on vulnerable populations.

Canada has offered up to $620 million in loans to enhance Ukraine’s economic resilience in the midst of Russian aggression, of which $300 million has already been provided. Furthermore, Budget 2022 announced that Canada will offer up to $1 billion in additional loan resources to the Ukrainian government through a new Administered Account for Ukraine at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), so that the government can continue to operate. Canada worked with the government of Ukraine, the IMF, and other IMF member countries to develop this facility and encourage allies and partners to participate.

Canada profoundly condemns the appalling atrocities by Russian armed forces in Bucha and other Ukrainian towns. The attacks on civilian infrastructure and murders of civilians and non-combatants constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law.

Canada led in the referral of the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in concert with other ICC member states as a result of numerous allegations of serious international crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. 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.

Ukraine filed an application with the International Court of Justice to establish that Russia has no lawful basis to take action in and against Ukraine for the purpose of preventing and punishing any purported genocide. The Court granted provisional measures, including ordering Russia to cease its military operations in Ukraine. Canada welcomed the Court’s order and demanded that President Putin withdraw his forces immediately.

Further, Canada, and 44 other participating States, invoked the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Moscow Mechanism to establish a fact-finding mission to Ukraine to report on the human rights and humanitarian impacts of Russia’s illegal invasion. Canada is also supportive of the ongoing work of the independent investigation commission mandated by the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) to investigate and gather evidence.

The Government of Canada is engaging in intense diplomacy within NATO and the G7, the UN, and with the EU and the broader international community to build support and solidarity for Ukraine. The Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, and International Development have all heavily engaged in these efforts.

Canada co-sponsored and strongly advocated for three UN General Assembly resolutions to condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, to censure the resulting humanitarian consequences, and most recently, to suspend Russia from the HRC. These historic resolutions demonstrated the international community’s strong commitment to defending the UN Charter and the rules-based international system. The April 7 vote on the “Suspension of the rights of membership of the Russian Federation in the Human Rights Council” passed with the necessary two-thirds majority vote, excluding abstentions and non-votes. Russia’s HRC membership term, which was set to expire in 2023, was therefore suspended. This sent a strong message that the international community will hold Russia accountable for its human rights violations and abuses in Ukraine. As a result, Russia announced its withdrawal from the HRC.

Canada also voted in favour of resolutions in support of Ukraine at the Organization of American States, the HRC, UNESCO, the International Labour Organization and l'Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. Canada was actively engaged in outreach for the Special Session of the Food and Agriculture Organization on April 8, during which a decision was adopted condemning Russian aggression and its consequences on global food security.

Canada continues to explore all available options to hold Russia accountable, including censuring and isolating Russia in international forums in coordination with likeminded partners. Canada will continue to assess and prioritize where and how to act against Russia.

To assist Ukrainians fleeing the war and to help ease the burden on Ukraine’s neighbouring countries, the Government of Canada announced two new immigration streams: the temporary Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, launched on March 17, 2022, and a special permanent residence stream for family reunification (permanent, and in development).

On March 11, 2022, the Prime Minister announced that Canada was investing an additional $117 million to implement Canada’s new immigration measures to expedite the processing of applications and to provide support to newcomers once they arrive in Canada. As of April 24, more than 20, 000 Ukrainian citizens and returning Canadian permanent residents of Ukrainian origin have arrived in Canada. Temporary federal support to help Ukrainians settle in their new communities will include language training, services to help access the labour market, as well as information about and orientation to life in Canada. On April 9, 2022, the Prime Minister announced an additional series of measures to make coming to Canada easier, including targeted charter flights for Ukrainians, short-term income support to ensure basic needs are met, and temporary hotel accommodation for up to two weeks.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in the widespread destruction of cities and civilian infrastructure due to missile and artillery strikes, as well as bombing by Russian airplanes. Only the UN Security Council (UNSC) can make a legally binding decision that all member States must refrain from flight to, from or through the airspace of a specific State or region, pursuant to its powers under Chapter VII. In the current situation, Russia, as a permanent member of the UNSC, would veto any such resolution.

Enforcing a no-fly zone is not a passive act; it would require sending aircraft and ground-based air defence systems from NATO Member States to target and possibly shoot down Russian aircraft violating the airspace in question, in order to prevent that aircraft from carrying out offensive operations on the terrain below.

This would be a use of force, making the country that conducted the strike a party to the conflict, and it would also mean that NATO Member States would become targets themselves.

NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, has stated that imposing a no-fly zone over Ukraine would “significantly escalate the war”, risking a “full-fledged war in Europe” between NATO and Russia and lead to “much more human suffering, civilian casualties, destruction”. This is why NATO Allies are providing significant support to Ukraine through sanctions, military aid and in multilateral forums, while not directly engaging in the conflict.

We will continue to support Ukraine, including by providing them with the military aid they need to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

All options for future action remain on the table. Together with the international community and working with the Government of Ukraine, Canada will continue to call on President Putin to end his war, withdraw his troops and military assets from Ukraine, and choose diplomacy.

Canada is unwavering in its commitment to Ukraine and will continue to support its government and people as they defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. Together with our allies, we will ensure Russia’s actions do not go unpunished.

The Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Program aims to ensure that all families in Canada have access to high quality, affordable, flexible, and inclusive early learning and child care no matter where they live.

That is why the Government of Canada is working with provincial, territorial, and Indigenous partners to build a Canada-wide, community-based system of quality child care, with the federal government providing provinces and territories with significant funding to support substantial reductions to families for the cost of regulated child care spaces.

The Government of Canada made a transformative investment of over $27 billion over five years as part of Budget 2021 to build a Canada-wide early learning and child care system with provinces and territories. Combined with previous investments announced since 2015, this means that as of 2025–2026, a minimum of $9.2 billion will be provided every year–permanently–for Early Learning and Child Care and Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care.

This investment will allow governments to work together towards achieving an average parent fee of $10-a-day by 2025–2026 for all regulated child care spaces, starting with a 50 percent reduction in average fees for regulated early learning and child care spaces by the end of 2022.

• All 13 provinces and territories in Canada have signed agreements committing to a Canada-wide ELCC system.
• Nearly all of Canada’s provinces and territories have announced the implementation of child care fee reductions, making life more affordable for families across the country.

With provincial and territorial partners, the government will work to ensure that early childhood educators are at the heart of the system, by valuing their work and providing them with the training and development opportunities needed to support their growth and the growth of a quality system of child care. The Government of Canada provided $420 million in 2021–2022 for provinces and territories to attract and retain early childhood educators through initiatives such as grants and bursaries for students studying early childhood education.

On March 30, 2022, the Government of Canada announced the expansion of settlement support for Ukrainians coming to Canada.

On April 9, 2022, the Government of Canada announced a series of measures to make it easier for Ukrainians to come to Canada including short-term income support to ensure basic needs are met. The Government of Canada is also supporting Ukrainians to obtain Social Insurance Numbers and to connect Ukrainians with employment through the Jobs for Ukraine portal.