The provincial government is working with federal counterparts to expedite the arrival of Ukrainian refugees to Saskatchewan. Those fleeing the carnage happening in the Ukrainian cities have been flooding border crossings while their family members remain to take up the fight. 

"I spoke with my federal counterpart yesterday to advise that Saskatchewan will open our doors to an unlimited number of Ukrainians affected by the conflict, and we want to open those doors expeditiously," Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said.  

A release from the provincial government states that in follow-up to correspondence over the past week, on March 1 Minister Harrison spoke with Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on Saskatchewan's desire to do its part to assist on the acute humanitarian situation and growing refugee crisis that has already seen nearly one million people leave Ukraine.   

"It's time to pay our debt back to those generations of Ukrainian immigrants who helped build our province, giving refuge to their descendants who are being so viciously attacked by the Putin regime," Harrison said.  "Ukrainians will find a welcoming environment in our communities, including many residents with the same culture and language, which will assist in ensuring long-term success with resettlement in Saskatchewan." 

Humboldt-Lanigan constituency MLA Donna Harpauer fully supports the work being done at all levels to streamline admission and resettlement efforts, and notes that our area is well-positioned to be a key part of the movement. Harpauer made the assertion in conversation with DiscoverHumboldt.com. 

“I’ve lived in this community for the majority of my life and it is a fabulous community with a lot to offer and a very welcoming community,” maintains Harpauer. “We have a lot of unique facilities and services within the community, so I would like to encourage all of the people in the Humboldt district, the agencies and community organizations to gather together where you can and find avenues where we can welcome and embrace refugees from Ukraine. We have to be there for Ukraine. We’ve done it before; we can do it again. We are a united community.”

The provincial government release goes on to say that The Government of Saskatchewan will provide funding for the coordination of community supports, including settlement services for Ukrainian families arriving in Saskatchewan.  The government is also committed to ensuring the province has the programs and services Ukrainian newcomers may need to gain the language, skills, and connections to successfully integrate into our communities and workforce.  

"The government will be working with community and service providers on these programs and services in the days ahead," Harrison said.  "We will also be working closely with the business community and employers who want to help Ukrainians by offering them employment." 

The province will prioritize any applications received from Ukrainian citizens to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), which has facilitated the arrival of nearly 300 Ukrainian citizens over the last five years, with a much longer history of immigration from that country to this province. 

The Government acknowledges that Ukrainian culture and traditions are deeply embedded in Saskatchewan, as approximately 15 percent of our province's residents trace all or part of their ancestry to Ukraine.