Lloyd waits for Ukrainian influx

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More than 1,500 displaced Ukrainians have arrived in Saskatchewan since Russia invaded their country, but few if any of the newcomers have settled in Lloydminster.

“I have not heard of any. We have been waiting patiently,” said Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers.

He notes the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association has offered to help, but they’ve had no direct requests for assistance from the Province.

Some of the newcomers arrived in Regina on two humanitarian flights with Solidaire and Open Arms.

Aalbers says Lloydminster has a strong Ukrainian community, but most of the new arrivals to Canada are not able to speak English well enough to get by.

“It takes a group effort to coordinate that,” he said.

The Saskatchewan government is allowing all temporary residents arriving under Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel with a valid work permit to be eligible for Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant and Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy funded training.

“Saskatchewan is committed to welcoming an unlimited number of displaced Ukrainians and ensuring they gain the language, skills and connections to successfully integrate into our communities and workforce,” said Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison on Monday.

The federal government also created a special, accelerated temporary residence pathway for Ukrainians to live, work and study in Canada shortly after the start of the Russian invasion on Feb. 24.

Alberta is also providing temporary financial support for core monthly benefits and a child care subsidy for eligible Ukrainian nationals among other assistance programs.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney reported 3,833 Ukrainians had been welcomed in Alberta by early July with a few thousand more to come.

Locally, Aalbers says he’s had a lot of inquiries from people who just want to help, period.

“That speaks to how generous our community is,” he said, noting he has heard about one Ukrainian family member who has been hired by a local oilfield supply company and was able to find housing and some basic supplies by word of mouth.

Aalbers says residents can help by donating basic home furnishings and kitchen utensils to charity organizations like the Interval Store and the Olive Tree, and its Reclaim furniture outlet.

He notes the federal Lakeland electoral constituency covering the Alberta side of our city and the Yorkton-Melville riding in Saskatchewan have the two largest concentrations of Ukrainian ancestry in Canada.

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Geoff Lee
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