Newfoundland and Labrador Welcomes Fourth Airlift of Ukrainians

  • Executive Council
  • Immigration, Population Growth and Skills

December 6, 2022

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, today greeted the fourth Government of Newfoundland and Labrador coordinated and sponsored airlift of Ukrainians at St. John’s International Airport, welcoming 187 newcomers to the province.

The airlift that departed Warsaw, Poland and landed in St. John’s, was again coordinated by the Ukrainian Family Support Desk, a Provincial Government initiative launched on March 2 to provide safe haven to Ukrainians fleeing the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine. Including the airlift today, approximately 700 Ukrainians have arrived via Provincial Government airlifts. When combined with the 800 Ukrainians who have arrived by other means, over 1,500 Ukrainians have settled in 36 communities cross Newfoundland and Labrador since March.

After arrival, most Ukrainian newcomers will be transported to temporary accommodations in the capital region to rest and begin adjusting to their new home in Newfoundland and Labrador. This transition period will be eased for many individuals and families because of the pre-arrival support provided by the Ukrainian Family Support Desk, including:

  • Pairing Ukrainians with accommodations;
  • Engaging the Association for New Canadians to activate specialized settlement services and supports;
  • Immigration navigation and processing;
  • Resume translation services; and
  • Facilitating job interviews with local employers (a number of Ukrainians have already accepted jobs).

All arriving Ukrainians have been granted the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel Visa that legally allows them to live and work in Canada for up to three years. Ukrainians arriving in Newfoundland and Labrador under the Emergency Travel Visa will also receive provincial Medical Care Plan and Prescription Drug Plan coverage. The province has also enabled the conversion of Ukrainian drivers licences to Newfoundland and Labrador licences.

Thanks are again extended to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador for supporting Ukrainians and helping to make this airlift possible.

For examples of 186 Newfoundland and Labrador employers who have had success in hiring Ukrainians, please see the backgrounder below. For those interested in continuing to support Ukrainians in Newfoundland and Labrador, please see a second backgrounder below for ways to contribute to the effort.

The Ukrainian Family Support Desk continues working with Ukrainians who have expressed an interest in coming to Newfoundland and Labrador. For more information about the desk please visit the webpage.

Quotes
“Newfoundlanders and Labradorians continue to support Ukrainians displaced by the illegal Russian invasion of their country. This fourth Provincial Government coordinated and sponsored airlift again shows that our province is playing a leadership role in Canada in our humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine. Ukrainians will always receive a warm welcome to our province.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Ukrainians bring with them a wealth of talent, and arrive ready to build lives and contribute to our province. Our aid to Ukrainians has created a virtuous cycle, whereby our society is continually enriched by the contributions of our new Ukrainian neighbours.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills

“The ANC is proud to be part of welcoming more Ukrainian families to Newfoundland and Labrador. We are delighted to work with the provincial government in support of this resettlement effort and are so thankful for the generosity of community organizations, businesses, and members of the public who have shown, time and time again, great kindness in helping newcomers arriving in this province.”
Megan Morris
Executive Director, Association for New Canadians

“Newfoundland and Labrador has a history of welcoming immigrants — we are pioneers in taking initiative, and adapting our immigration system and resources to tackle the challenges of current times. The employers in our communities are standing up to welcome our new members who enrich our province’s culture and grow our economy.”
Constanza Safatle
Executive Director, TaskforceNL

-30-

Learn more
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @IPGS_GovNL

Like us on Facebook

Jeremy Reynolds
Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
709-729-2377
jeremyreynolds@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Examples of the 186 Newfoundland and Labrador Employers That Have Hired Ukrainians

Employer

Positions

A1 Automotive

Dismantler

Association for New Canadians

Settlement Officer, Interpreters, Employment Facilitators, Drivers, Operations Staff

Atlantic Grocery Distributors

Warehouse Positions

Bernard Stanley Gastro Pub

Kitchen Assistant

Bishop’s Garden

Care Provider and Dietary Aide

By Sharpe Design

Florists

Capelin Creations

Marketer

Capital Hotel

Room Attendants

Christopher’s Trucking

Truck Driver

City Tire

Tire Technician

Coastal Shipping (Woodward Group of Companies)

Cook, Electrician, Deckhands, Chief Officer

Colemans

Pastry Chef

Cyno

Software Developer, Sales Coordinator

DF Barnes Services

Welders, Painter

Distinctive Interiors

Cabinet Assistant

East Side Mario’s

Food and Beverage Staff

Forteau Sales and Service Gas Station

General Labour

GardaWorld

Security Guard

Golden Crust Bakery

Bakery Positions

Goldie Beauty Bar

Nail Technician

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador – Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism

Immigration Program Development Officers

Gypsy Tea Room

Food and Beverage Staff

Jag Hotel

Room Attendants

King’s Plumbing and Heating

Plumber’s Helper

Magnum and Steins

Cooks

Mahoney’s Electrical

Apprentice Electrician

Manna Bakery

Retail Staff, Delivery Driver

Mary Brown’s

Food Counter Attendant, Food Service Supervisor, Cook

Monastery Spa and Medispa

Nail Technician

Murray Premises

Front Desk Clerk, Housekeeper, Overnight Auditor

Newfoundland Broadcasting Company

Video Journalist

PF Collins

Materials Handler, Truck Driver, Accounting Administrator, Import Coordinator

S&L Porter Homes

Carpenter, Carpenter’s Helper

Sharing Our Cultures

Assistant Project Coordinator

Sysco

Night Warehouse Worker

TLC Nursing & Homecare Services

Homecare Support Workers

Viking Construction

Electrician Apprentice

Whale House Guest House

Operations Manager

Window Shop

Window Installer

Work Global Canada

Ukraine Facilitator, Recruiters, Intake Immigration Support Worker, Executive Assistant

How Newfoundlanders and Labradorians Can Continue to Help Ukrainian Newcomers

With the fourth Provincial Government coordinated and sponsored airlift bringing Ukrainians directly to Canada having arrived on Tuesday, December 6 at St. John’s International Airport, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is reminding residents how they can help welcome and support Ukrainian newcomers.

Residents can help by:

  • Identifying job opportunities for Ukrainians and sending those positions to ukrainianfamily@gov.nl.ca;
  • Sending offers of accommodation and donations of goods and/or services to the Association for New Canadians Ukraine Support Team at ukraine@ancnl.ca or 709-325-0881; and
  • Donating to the Association for New Canadians Emergency Fund (tax receipts issued for donations greater than $20).

The Association for New Canadians is also recruiting for:

  • Interpreters (Ukrainian and other languages);
  • Family Match Program participants (volunteers are matched with newcomers to help with English as a second language learning through friendship. Activities could include exploring the city, sightseeing, going for walks and sharing meals together); and
  • Conversation circle partners (newcomers are given the opportunity to start practicing conversational English).

Those interested in getting involved are asked to register for orientation by emailing volunteer@ancnl.ca.

Alper Hos (back left in blue sweater) who arrived on the May 9, 2022 airlift is reunited with his mother Nataliya Hos (centre in brown jacket with fur), his grandmother Oleksandra Bila (left in orange jacket) and his brother Timur Hos (fourth from left in hoodie). They are joined by a local family that has supported Alper since he arrived in Newfoundland and Labrador.

 

2022 12 06 8:15 pm