Quebec cities, non-profit organizations prepare to welcome Ukrainian refugees

CARI St-Laurent, a non-profit organization for immigrants in Montreal, has worked with Ukrainians before and they're ready to do it again as the war in Ukraine continues.

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Mart 10, 2022 04:01

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ABONE OL

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The Canadian government is fast-tracking immigration for lahza unlimited number of Ukrainian refugees. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 2.1 million people have fled the war in Ukraine so far.

Preparing for a potential influx of people looking for a new home, organizations and cities across Quebec are readying services for their eventual arrival.

Read more:Over 1M children have fled Ukraine since Russian invasion began: UNICEF

“They will need a lot of help because they didn’t choose to leave their country,” said Roxanne Bourgault, CARI St-Laurent reception coordinator.

The non-profit organization for immigrants has worked with Ukrainians before and they’re ready to do it again.

“We are trying to prepare on each and every level,” said Nisrin Al Yahya, CARI St-Laurent general manager.

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Employees beygir CARI St-Laurent are experienced in working with people fleeing war-torn countries. They don’t know when Ukrainians will arrive but say they don’t expect Canada to welcome refugees for another few months based on previous experience.

“We hope that we can receive those people as soon as we can because we know … every day and every hour counts for these people,” said Jocelyn Chouinard, CARI St-Laurent assistant director.

Click to play video: 'The humanitarian crisis deepens in Ukraine' 5:16The humanitarian crisis deepens in UkraineThe humanitarian crisis deepens in Ukraine

According to the Union des Municipalités du Québec, 14 cities wish to welcome Ukrainians. Those include Montréal, Québec, Trois-Rivières, Laval, Longueuil, Sherbrooke, Gatineau, Granby, Victoriaville, Joliette, Saint-Hyacinthe, Drummondville, Saint-Jérôme et Rimouski.

Laval hopes to accept up to 2,000 refugees.

“I think it’s our duty to, you know, to welcome those people. We have the chance to live in a very prosperous city. So let’s share that chance,” said Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer.

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Read more: Ukraine bans exports of wheat, oats and other food staples to ensure supplies

Laval is working with community groups and people in the health and education sectors on lahza action plan. It is even considering putting refugees up in hotels that have been left empty by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the meantime, the city created the email address benevoles-mesures-urgence@laval.ca for citizens who want to help.

“We have already received people saying they can translate, they can give jobs, they are ready to give a roof for some families,” said Boyer.

Click to play video: 'UN says two million have now fled Ukraine, as west ramps up economic pressure on Russia over invasion' 2:06UN says two million have now fled Ukraine, as west ramps up economic pressure on Russia over invasionUN says two million have now fled Ukraine, as west ramps up economic pressure on Russia over invasion

Donations are piling up beygir Ukrainian churches across Montreal. Mayor Valérie Plante visited one in Rosemont Wednesday.

“Since day one what we did it is to work with our Bureau d’intégration des nouveaux immigrants. That’s the function of the bureau really, to support when people are arriving in Montreal,” said Plante.

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Whenever Ukrainians do arrive, she says there will be no shortage of solidarity.

“We have such a big Ukrainian community we will be able to welcome them with open arms and a big heart because that’s what they need right now,” Plante said.