Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression can find a safe haven in Canada using expedited temporary visas for emergency travel, the federal government announced Thursday while it also ratcheted up the economic pressure on Russia香蕉视频直播檚 oligarchs.
The government will provide fast-tracked visas for an unlimited number of Ukrainians who wish to come to Canada to work, and then return home when it is safe, said Immigration Minister Sean Fraser. He said these visas will take just weeks to process, instead of the usual year.
香蕉视频直播淭he primary motivation for this program is that it provides the fastest way for us to start welcoming as many Ukrainians as possible,香蕉视频直播 he said.
Fraser said a refugee resettlement program would have taken years, and he learned from his conversations with the Ukrainian community that many people will want to return to their home country when the conflict ends.
The application process is expected to open in about 14 days.
The United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR, says the refugees who have fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries since Russia launched its attacks last week now number one million.
The agency warned that without an immediate end to the conflict, millions more will be forced to leave their country.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced at the same Thursday news conference that the government has imposed a 35 per cent tariff on all Russian exports to Canada.
She said there are also new sanctions against 10 executives with Gazprom, a major Russian state-owned energy company, and Rosneft, Russia香蕉视频直播檚 leading oil company.
香蕉视频直播淭his will bring the total number of people and entities sanctioned, or in the process of being sanctioned, by Canada since Russia香蕉视频直播檚 illegal occupation of Crimea in 2014 to more than 1000,香蕉视频直播 Freeland said.
Freeland said this will increase the pressure on Russia香蕉视频直播檚 oligarchs, whom she called the 香蕉视频直播渟ycophants香蕉视频直播 and 香蕉视频直播渆nablers香蕉视频直播 in the Putin香蕉视频直播檚 inner circle who have lived luxurious lives in the West.
On top of the economic pressure, Canada plans to send more lethal aid to Ukraine. Canada will send 4,500 rocket launchers and 7,500 hand grenades from its existing weapons stockpile.
Canada has also pledged $1 million for the purchase of high-resolution modern satellite imagery.
香蕉视频直播淭his capability will provide Ukraine香蕉视频直播檚 military with a strengthened ability to monitor the movement of Russian forces in and around their territory,香蕉视频直播 Defence Minister Anita Anand said.
Fraser also announced a new reunification program for Ukrainians with family in Canada who wish to come and remain here permanently.
The government has encouraged refugees to continue to apply to come to Canada through traditional immigration streams, and says their requests will be expedited too.
About 6,000 expedited applications from Ukraine have been approved since January.
香蕉视频直播 Laura Osman and Mike Blanchield, The Canadian Press