NDP wants more support for the Ukrainians displaced by violence

OTTAWA – Today, in response to the growing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called on the Liberal government to help more people get to safety quickly. So far, Canada has only received 6000 Ukrainians but Poland alone has accepted 500 000.

“Ukrainian people need our support more than ever and Canada needs to do its part to help. More than one million Ukrainians have fled the country in just a few days, with many more internally displaced,” said Singh. “The Liberal government must act urgently to welcome Ukrainians who want to come to Canada without putting them through a bureaucratic nightmare. The simplest solution for those in danger on is for the Canadian government to grant visa free access to Ukrainians.”

Despite the addition of Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel, visa-free travel would still help Ukrainians get to Canada as soon as possible. Both measures should co-exist, and Ukrainians should be allowed to apply for the emergency authorization visa from within Canada.

Since the crisis began, Singh has been calling on the government to provide support to ethnic minorities currently in Ukraine and ensure they have equal access to reach and cross borders, including Indian and African students, and members of the LGTBQ2s+ communities, who have faced discrimination in their attempts to find safety. New Democrats are also urging the federal government to allow access for political activists and leaders and other vulnerable people who will undoubtedly be targeted by the Kremlin.

“The government must speak out against the discrimination faced by ethnic minorities when trying to cross the border fleeing from Putin’s war, and work with other countries to make it clear that they all deserve to have equal access to safety and to supports to have equal access to reach and cross borders,” said Singh. “Canada should be a global leader in responding to this humanitarian and refugee crisis. The Liberal government needs to put in place a national plan with provinces, territories and municipal leaders to accept and settle refugees.”