Saskatchewan opens arms to families from Ukraine with array of supports and services

In the first seven months of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, nearly 2,000 displaced Ukrainians had come to Saskatchewan, and the province has committed not only to welcoming an unlimited number of them, but also providing targeted supports and services.

Children are getting a tuition-free education in the province’s K-12 schools; families are eligible for additional income supports to help with the cost of raising children; and adults have access to employer-driven, province-supported job training.

Soon after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Government of Canada created a special, accelerated temporary residence pathway for Ukrainians to live, work and study in the country. Now, Saskatchewan leaders are seeking federal support for a plan to give the province more autonomy and flexibility over immigration policy — specifically, sole authority to select newcomers coming to the province. Jeremy Harrison, Saskatchewan minister of Immigration and Career Training, says his province needs new arrivals to meet its labor market needs and grow the population.