Loading ...A sudden surge of Ukrainian evacuees. Is Canada ready?
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, more than two years ago, 250,000 Ukrainians relocated to Canada under our country’s emergency visa program and an additional 700,000 Ukrainians hold similar visas due to expire on March 31.
Alberta is the number one destination in Canada for displaced Ukrainians. That shouldn’t be all that surprising: with promises of more affordable housing, Alberta has successfully lured a whack of newcomers from other provinces. And even before Putin’s onslaught in Ukraine, Alberta was home to the highest Ukrainian population per capita of any Canadian province.
Former Alberta premier, Ed Stelmach, Ukrainian by heritage, is keeping close tabs on these Ukrainians temporarily relocated to Alberta. He reports, “almost 56,000 are registered with Alberta Health now, and the sector estimates about 58,000 or more are actually here.”
Check their bodies for tattoos!