‘Probably any day’: Officials prepare for arrival of Ukrainians in Waterloo Region
Waterloo Region officials say it’s no longer a matter if Ukrainians will arrive in the area, but when.
Local groups are preparing to welcome them when they do.
Father Myroslav Tataryn of the Ukranian Catholic Church of Transfiguration says the process of getting Ukrainians to Canada has moved at “warp speed.”
His church gearing up to quickly help women and children who fled that country.
“It's not only a matter of getting them here,” Tataryn said. “It's a matter of being ready to receive them and what's needed.”
Tataryn says those wanting to help Ukrainians coming to Canada can sign up at this link.
Last week, Canada announced two new ways for Ukrainians to quickly enter Canada – an emergency travel permit and a special family reunification sponsorship. The federal government is promising applications will be processed in two weeks.
“I do know of a number of families [here in Canada] who have already heard from their relatives who are in Poland, who are waiting to come,” Tataryn said. “Most of them haven't gotten visas yet. [But] they've applied so they're in the pipelines, So that's very promising.”
'The first time I'm seeing this type of response'
Local officials say the federal government hasn't said how many Ukrainians will arrive in Waterloo Region – only that it's happening soon.
“Probably any day,” said Tara Bedard, the Executive Director for Immigration Partnership for the Region of Waterloo.
“We're really in a unique situation,” Bedard continued. “This is the first time I'm seeing this type of response so we really are just trying to work with our partners across the region to be ready to welcome people.”
Waterloo Region is known to welcome refugees, most recently from war-torn countries like Afghanistan and Syria.
In a statement sent earlier this week to CTV News, the interim CEO of Reception House said the organization was already expecting double the number of government assisted refugees this year from other conflicts excluding the war in Ukraine. It could be as many 750 people.
The statement highlighted there are now major concerns, like the lack of affordable housing.
Bedard says, it's an issue they are working on.
“[We’re] just shaking all the trees. You know landlords who have availability that will come forward for this population and others who are looking for housing.”
Father Tataryn agrees, saying charitable support and solidarity is needed for all those escaping conflict.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.