Ontario Response to Ukrainian Arrivals -- NEWS RELEASE

Province Helping Ukrainians Find Jobs in Ontario

Premier's Office

April 06, 2022 Access to jobs, health care, income support and free education will help Ukrainian arrivals settle safely and quickly

TORONTO — At a time when the province has hundreds of thousands of in-demand jobs to be filled, the Ontario government is launching a suite of supports for Ukrainian families arriving under the new emergency travel authorization, including a dedicated hotline (1-888-562-4769) and email address (ukrainianjobs@ontario.ca) to connect new arrivals with job search supports and local employers in the community. “Our government will always embrace newcomers to the province, particularly at a time when we need more people to help fill in-demand jobs and especially the brave people fleeing the unjust war in Ukraine,” said Premier Doug Ford. “As families arrive from Ukraine, we’re making sure the resources and supports are in place to help them find meaningful employment while also keeping them safe and healthy.”The suite of supports available to Ukrainian newcomers, including those arriving under the new federal travel authorization also includes:

Access to Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage which includes health care supports and services they may need, including mental health services. Access to drug benefits for Ukrainians through OHIP eligibility or receiving emergency income assistance. Access to emergency housing through settlement service agencies and Ukrainian community organizations, including host homes and other temporary settings that Ukrainians may need until long-term arrangements are made. Ensuring Ukrainian elementary and secondary school students can attend publicly funded schools for free. Trauma-informed counselling and culturally responsive supports to students and families as well as the promotion of intercultural understanding and awareness of Ukrainian stories and history, through a $449,000 provincial investment to Canadian-Ukrainian community organizations. Support for persons who have been admitted to Canada on an emergency basis for humanitarian reasons studying at Ontario’s publicly assisted colleges and universities through a new provincial $1.9 million Ontario-Ukraine Solidarity Scholarship. Financial support of up to $28,000 through our province’s Second Career Program, for those who apply and are eligible, for basic living allowances, tuition, transportation, and other critical needs.

These measures will ensure that Ukrainian arrivals have access to good paying jobs and economic opportunities, while building on the government’s ongoing efforts to attract, support and protect newcomers. In addition, hundreds of Ontario businesses have offered Ukrainian arrivals employment and assistance. “As minister responsible for immigration, my heart goes out to families fleeing this tragedy. Ontario is doing everything in our power to support the people of Ukraine. True to the Ontario spirit, our message to Ukrainians is simple: Ontario stands with you, and Ontario’s arms are open to you – the people of Ontario will take care of you,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “Ontario's economy is set to boom. With over 338,000 good jobs waiting to be filled and hundreds of Ontario businesses who have stepped up with job offers, we are in a strong position to welcome Ukrainian newcomers and help them find good jobs when they are ready to work.” The government is providing an increase of $900,000 over three years to the Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society to deliver targeted settlement services. The funding will help Ukrainian newcomers get settled, find housing and access services such as mental health supports, education for children, language instruction for adults, and employment and training supports. The province is also currently working to deliver thousands of urgently needed medical supplies and equipment, including defibrillators, syringes, and ICU supplies to Ukraine. We are working very closely with our international partners to make sure these supplies can help Ukrainians through this humanitarian crisis. 

Quick Facts Over 4 million Ukrainians have fled their homes and communities to seek shelter in other countries. On February 24, 2022, the Ontario government announced $300,000 in humanitarian aid to assist the people of Ukraine.

 The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program selects immigration candidates who best meet Ontario’s labour market needs. Ukrainian applicants who are invited to apply based on established program criteria will benefit from expedited processing and prioritized applications.

Quotes

 "This unprovoked war has inflicted catastrophic destruction and the tragic loss of innocent children and families. To ensure our province is a place of refuge for children and families fleeing this bloodshed, we have acted to ensure Ukrainian children can attend Ontario schools, along with new mental health supports for Ukrainian-Canadian children to help these kids heal from the trauma of war. We will not waver in our defence of innocent children and will uphold the values of freedom and democracy."- Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education

"Our government stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian community as we come together to help Ukrainians who have fled their homeland. That’s why we have taken action to ensure those coming to Ontario can access publicly funded health care. Ontario is working with health care partners, including hospitals and community providers, to ensure that Ukrainians arriving in our province are able to receive the health care they may need when they need it."- Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health

"I want to express my deepest sympathies to the Ukrainian people who have been forced to flee their homes, and assure them that our government is working tirelessly to provide the supports they need at this challenging time, including access to postsecondary education in Ontario. By creating a new scholarship that will support persons admitted to Canada on an emergency basis for humanitarian reasons, we can help learners – like those from Ukraine – to access the postsecondary education and training they need to succeed."- Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities

"The Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society (CUIAS) is thankful to the government of Ontario for their support to these people. Their needs are overwhelming, and the provisions of health coverage and income support will enable them the resources they need to settle in Ontario. We are grateful to the provincial government."- Ludmila Kolesnichenko, Executive Director of the Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society (CUIAS)

"These announced supports will ensure that Ukrainians fleeing war and coming to Ontario will be protected and awarded opportunities to succeed. We are pleased that the Province of Ontario is acting decisively in this dire situation and look forward to continuing working in partnership to help the vulnerable. The Ukrainian Canadian diaspora is grateful for all vital assistance provided from the Government of Ontario."- Taras Bahriy and Peter Schturyn, Ukrainian Canadian Congress 

Additional Resources

Resources to help people coming to Ontario from Ukraine

Newcomer Settlement Program

Ontario Bridge Training Program for internationally-trained immigrants

Resources to improve English and French

Employment Ontario: Free Programs and Services for Job Seekers, Workers and Employers

Find mental health support

Kids’ Help Phone

Apply for OHIP