Health Care Coverage Available for Ukrainians Arriving in the Province

  • Health and Community Services
  • Immigration, Population Growth and Skills

March 29, 2022

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador today announced that all Ukrainians who enter into Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel and special family reunification sponsorship pathway will be provided Medical Care Plan (MCP) coverage, as well as Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Plan (NLPDP) coverage, for the duration of their visa.

Since February, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to more than three million Ukrainians seeking refuge in other countries. In response to the crisis, the Federal Government announced it would fast track visa applications and launch the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel. This initiative is for those seeking to flee Ukraine for Canada on a temporary basis.

As it is currently unclear as to how many Ukrainians will be coming to Newfoundland and Labrador and how long they may stay here, both MCP and NLPDP coverage will remain in place for the duration of their visa, and they will have to confirm every six months that they are still a resident in the province.

The Minister of Health and Community Services has also written the provincial Health Regulators Network regarding the fact that some of the Ukrainians welcomed into the province may be health care professionals who wish to continue their careers upon settling in Canada. He has encouraged them to consider how they may be able to assist in the transition of Ukrainian refugee health professionals to the province by identifying the best possible means to assist these individuals in obtaining licensure to practice in their chosen field within the regulatory frameworks.

Earlier this month, a four-person team of officials from Newfoundland and Labrador travelled to Warsaw, Poland to set up an office to recruit Ukrainians who might be interested in moving to the province. They have been talking with residents and providing information on the province, to encourage them to consider Newfoundland and Labrador as a place to re-settle. This province is the first Canadian jurisdiction to send officials to Poland to actively recruit refugees. Further information for Ukrainians can be found online here or by emailing ukrainianfamily@gov.nl.ca.

Quotes
“We recognize that many Ukrainians have been living in unsettled circumstances for the past several weeks and may have immediate health care needs, including the need to see specialists, obtain prescription drugs or avail of mental health services. We are pleased as a government to make health care accessible to those who wish to take refuge in our province.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services

“The health care needs of Ukrainians will be taken care of if they choose Newfoundland and Labrador as their destination of choice for safe haven or immigration. This is a game-changing guarantee that our Ukrainian Family Support Desk team is already communicating directly to Ukrainians in the streets and shelters of Poland.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills

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Media contacts
Nancy Hollett
Health and Community Services
709-729-6554, 327-7878
nancyhollett@gov.nl.ca

Jeremy Reynolds
Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
709-729-1989, 709-691-2298
jeremyreynolds@gov.nl.ca

 

2022 03 29 11:50 am