Ottawa Lists Individuals & Entities Linked To Financial Institutions; More Ukrainian Refugees Arrive
Ottawa: Canada is imposing new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing egregious and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has announced.
These new measures also impose restrictions on 22 individuals and 4 entities. Among the individuals and entities listed are senior officials of Russian financial institutions and their family members, as well as key financial institutions and banks.
The measures apply further pressure on the Russian leadership to end its senseless war, which has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives, jeopardized the food security of millions and caused untold pain and suffering. Canada continues to call for a diplomatic solution.
These measures are the latest example of Canada’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine and its people. The measures also demonstrate that Canada is a leader in the broad international effort to hold the Russian leadership accountable and defend Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.
Canada will continue to explore new ways to exert pressure on the Russian regime.
Mélanie Joly said: “For every action taken by President Putin to undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity, Canada will not hesitate to take appropriate countermeasures. Canada will relentlessly pursue accountability for the Russian regime’s unjustifiable acts. We stand with Ukraine and its people.”
• Since Russia’s illegal occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea in 2014, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 1,500 individuals and entities. Many of these sanctions have been undertaken in coordination with Canada’s allies and partners. Canada’s latest sanctions, like its previous ones, impose asset freezes and prohibitions on listed individuals and entities.
• Since Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 1,050 individuals and entities from and in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
• In March 2022, Canada referred the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court (ICC), in concert with other ICC member states, in light of the numerous allegations of serious international crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Montréal: Canada has secured three charter flights for those who need help travelling to Canada. The Government of Canada continues to work closely with provinces and territories, settlement organizations, and NGOs across the country to support Ukrainians and their family members before, during, and after their arrival in Canada.
A federal charter flight carrying 306 Ukrainians and their family members arrived in Montréal early this week. They were welcomed by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Marie-France Lalonde, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
This flight is the second of three federal charters organized to bring people to Canada as a temporary safe haven. The first federal flight brought 328 Ukrainians to Winnipeg, Manitoba, on May 23, 2022, and a third charter is scheduled to arrive in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on June 2, 2022. The charters were available to Ukrainian nationals and their family members approved through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program. Those arriving on the three charter flights who do not have suitable arrangements will have temporary accommodations for up to 14 nights.
Last week, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees, announced details on transitional financial assistance to help Ukrainian nationals and their family members meet their basic needs upon arrival in Canada. Online applications for this one-time financial support will be available as of June 2, 2022.
To access this financial support, parents and guardians can submit one application for themselves, a spouse, and dependants. Payments will be made through direct deposit, so applicants will need to have a bank account with a Canadian financial institution under the same name as the name of the adult’s temporary resident status document (work permit, study permit, temporary resident permit or visitor record).
These charter flights build on other travel support initiatives, including the Ukraine2Canada Travel Fund, through which Canadians and Canadian companies can donate their Aeroplan points to help bring at least 10,000 Ukrainians and their families on flights to Canada.
Photos from today’s charter flight, as well as photos of Ukrainians arriving last week in Winnipeg, are available in Dropbox.
Sean Fraser said: “Today’s flight is proof of how Canadians and communities across the country remain ready to welcome Ukrainians fleeing the ongoing invasion of their homeland. We will continue to do everything we can to help Ukrainians find safe haven in Canada, and ensure their success once they arrive. ”
Mélanie Joly, said: “Canada is unwavering in our support for Ukraine and its people. Welcoming these families in Montréal is a reminder of the human impact of Putin’s war, and of Canada’s continued promise to offer a temporary safe haven to those in need.”
• Launched on March 17, 2022, the CUAET program provides Ukrainians and their immediate family members of any nationality the opportunity to stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to three years. They are also eligible for a free open work permit or study permit, which allows them to take a job with almost any Canadian employer or enrol in an education program.
• Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec is solely responsible for the design, delivery and administration of settlement and integration services. Quebec is offering settlement support and other services to Ukrainians arriving under CUAET.
• Ukrainians arriving under CUAET, as well as Ukrainian temporary residents who were in Canada when the war broke out, who choose to live in other parts of Canada are eligible for federal settlement services to help them adjust to their new life in Canada. These services include language training, information about and orientation to life in Canada and information to help find a job.
• Through the Ukraine2Canada Travel Fund Canadians and Canadian companies can donate their Aeroplan points to help bring 10,000 Ukrainians and their families on flights to Canada.
• All individuals with a valid work permit, study permit, temporary resident permit or visitor record in Canada under CUAET will be eligible to receive one-time financial support of $3,000 per adult (18 years and older) and $1,500 per child (17 and under).
• Between March 17 and May 25, 2022, IRCC received more than 259,000 CUAET applications, of which over 120,600 have been approved.
• Between January 1 and May 22, 2022, more than 35,455 Ukrainian citizens arrived in Canada through various points, These statistics cover all Ukrainian passport holders, including returning Canadian permanent residents of Ukrainian origin.