New Democrats continue to call for support for Ukrainian refugees

NDP Critic for Defence, Lindsay Mathyssen, made the following statement:

“Canadians have been horrified by the brutal images and reports coming out of Ukraine. Nearly five million people have fled the violence of Putin's war in Ukraine already, and Poland has welcomed 2.7 million of them. We welcome the news that Canada is sending 150 troops to Poland to support those caught up in this massive diaspora.

Canadian service men and women are always there to help when they are called on –and this deployment is no exception. In the past two years, we have seen our troops helping Canadians during the crisis in long-term and offering assistance with vaccination efforts throughout the pandemic. They support search and rescue efforts when flooding and forest fires occur here at home. And now, they’re going to be helping Ukrainians fleeing violence by processing refugees, as well as providing medical support services.

But there is much more for the federal government to do to ensure we’re supporting Ukrainians.

There is a severe lack of funding for humanitarian aid. It shouldn't be up to just a few countries to support the vast majority of Ukrainian refugees; it’s crucial that Canada does it’s part.

For months, New Democrats have called on the Liberal government to remove remaining barriers to bringing Ukrainians to Canada. Those seeking refuge are almost exclusively women, children and seniors who are in an incredibly vulnerable situation. My NDP colleagues and I continue to call for visa-free travel so that Ukrainians who want to get to safety in Canada can do so as quickly, and as easily as possible.”