Saskatchewan opens doors to Ukrainian refugees

In Moosomin, the Support Ukraine Fundraising Centre has already raised $30,000 and has paperwork under way for the first Ukrainian refugees coming to Moosomin. 

“I spoke with my federal counterpart yesterday to advise that Saskatchewan will open our doors to an unlimited number of Ukrainians affected by the conflict, and we want to open those doors expeditiously,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said Wednesday. 

In a follow-up to correspondence over the past week, on March 1 Harrison spoke with Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on Saskatchewan’s desire to do its part to assist on the acute humanitarian situation and growing refugee crisis that has already seen more than a million people leave Ukraine. 

“It’s time to pay our debt back to those generations of Ukrainian immigrants who helped build our province, giving refuge to their ancestors who are being so viciously attacked by the Putin regime,” Harrison said. “Ukrainians will find a welcoming environment in our communities, including many residents with the same culture and language, which will assist in ensuring long-term success with resettlement in Saskatchewan.” 

The government of Saskatchewan will provide funding for the co-ordination of community supports, including settlement services for Ukrainian families arriving in Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan government says they are also committed to ensuring they have the programs and services Ukrainian newcomers may need to gain the language, skills, and connections to successfully integrate into Saskatchewan communities and the workforce. 

“The government will be working with community and service providers on these programs and services in the days ahead,” Harrison said. “We will also be working closely with the business community and employers who want to help Ukrainians by offering them employment.”

The province will prioritize any applications received from Ukrainian citizens to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), which has facilitated the arrival of nearly 300 Ukrainian citizens over the last five years, with a much longer history of immigration from that country to this province.

Why did the province decide to take this step?

“Saskatchewan wants to do its part to assist in the acute humanitarian situation and growing refugee crisis,” the Ministry of Immigration told the World-Spectator. “Ukrainian culture and traditions are deeply embedded in Saskatchewan, as approximately 15 per cent of our province’s residents trace all or part of their ancestry to Ukraine.”

“The province will provide supports to individuals to connect them with community and employment services while ensuring access to public services, such as health, education and child care,” the ministry said. “In the coming days there will be more information available as to how individuals and communities can support those arriving in Saskatchewan.”

Any community groups that want to help settle refugees are asked to reach out to the nearest settlement agency—in the case of the Moosomin area, the East Central Newcomer Welcome Centre—which will be making a presentation at the March meeting of the Moosomin Chamber of Commerce.

“The government of Saskatchewan has been welcoming newcomers, including those fleeing conflict, for decades,” the Ministry of Immigration said.

“We have a well-developed network of services and providers around the province who are experienced and well-positioned to provide settlement supports and services. Community groups who are interested in helping have the option of contacting their nearest immigrant-serving agency.”