Ottawa/CMEDIA: Canada’s Defence Minister Anita Anand announced on Thursday at the Canadian Forces’ military base (CFB) in Trenton, Ont that Canada would deploy up to 150 Canadian Armed Forces members in Poland to help “to ensure Ukrainians fleeing the war receive the best support possible.”
“Our Canadian Armed Forces will continue to step up and offer a safe haven and to welcome with open arms the people of Ukraine,” she said.
Canada’s humanitarian mission is in response to the Polish government’s request as it attempts to grapple with a large influx of Ukrainians fleeing the war.
An additional $500 million in military aid to Ukraine was committed by the federal budget tabled last week, a portion of it will come from Canada’s current inventory while another portion will need to be procured, more details of which would be provided by Anand at a later date.
Although Anand has authorized up to 150 troops to join the mission, only about 100 will be deployed for the time being to assist with the processing of refugees, as well as provide medical support services.
The troops deployed from CFB Trenton would be largely from Edmonton and Kingston, Ontario will be helping with the coordination and front-line assistance of Ukrainian refugees in the neighboring country, Anand said.
‘Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel’ program enables Ukrainians looking to come to Canada temporarily to stay for three years. Canada is also offering Ukrainians and their immediate family members of any nationality temporary residency and the ability to work or study while in Canada.
For those looking to stay permanently in Canada, the government is setting up a separate family reunification pathway with help from Ukrainian-Canadian community groups.
Since the war began, Canada has been spending lethal and non-lethal aid to Ukraine, since the war began including military equipment, and has committed to more help.
In an effort to prioritize immigration applications from Ukrainians since early 2022, Canada has opened up two new immigration streams for Ukrainians looking to come to this country in response to millions of Ukrainians fleeing the county to escape the ongoing Russian attacks.
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