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
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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.