Alberta announces new supports for Ukrainian newcomers

“We are grateful to Alberta’s government for the financial income support. This is definitely an additional support that was not available to Ukrainian newcomers prior. Everything counts and this will definitely help contribute to the success of the Ukrainian nationals integrating successfully into Canadian society,” said Orysia Boychuk, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial Council.

The province says that with many arrivals expected to be single-parent families and families who have left everything behind, Ukrainian parents can also apply for six months of funding to cover the cost of licensed child care through the Child Care Subsidy Program.

Eligible applicants must be Ukraine nationals and have a specially issued Alberta Health Care Card with an expiry date. As well, children must attend a licensed child care program in Alberta, be 12-years of age or younger and not yet be attending Grade 7.

“By helping with the cost of child care and supporting access to quality child-care programs for Ukrainian parents arriving in Alberta, we are ensuring their children will be safe and that families will have the help they need as they build a new life in our province,” said Matt Jones, Minister of Children’s Services.

The province says their government continues to accelerate the assessment of applications for permanent residency made by Ukrainian nationals and waive fees through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program.

“Millions of Ukrainians have had to drop everything and flee in the wake of Russia’s illegal invasion. Alberta’s government moved quickly to offer access to health care, child care, education, emergency financial funding, and guidance to get official documents and find work. Now we will do even more to help them rebuild their lives here in Alberta with these expanded social supports for Ukrainians seeking refuge here,” said Premier Jason Kenney.

Officials say ongoing assistance from Alberta’s government and partnering settlement agencies is helping to ensure Ukrainians arriving in Alberta can:

access health coverage
enrol children in K-12 schools in their new communities
get an Alberta identification card, including a driver’s licence
find licensed child care
access resources that can help find work and build careers through Alberta Supports centres
access community adult learning programs to improve financial and literacy skills
access a reference guide at alberta.ca/Ukraine in English and Ukrainian, with detailed information on resources and supports that can help Ukrainian newcomers settle into their new communities.

Since the war with Russia began, the Alberta government lists the following assistance provided to Ukraine and its citizens:

$2.2 million for settlement and language services delivered across the province
$1 million to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, organized by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Canada Ukraine Foundation, to help coordinate and deliver humanitarian aid
$5 million to the Ukrainian World Congress to equip 5,000 members of the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Force with defensive equipment
$5 million to the Canada Ukraine Foundation for additional humanitarian aid
$350,000 to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta Provincial Council for their campaign coordinating the air shipment of first aid and defensive equipment to Ukraine

The province says Alberta is home to more than 369,000 people of Ukrainian descent.

For more information on how Alberta is supporting Ukrainian newcomers, visit alberta.ca/Ukraine.

by rdnewsNOW Staff

Alberta announces new supports for Ukrainian newcomers

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