Natalia Haidash’s excitement was palpable on Tuesday morning.
It was the day that the 170 Ukrainians, including two members of their own family, had to arrive in New Brunswick, fleeing the ongoing war in their homeland.
“I was half crying and half laughing,” said Haidash of the Moncton Ukrainian Association.
“I’m so overwhelmed with everything.”
Natalia Haidash, of the Moncton Ukrainian Association, went to the airport to welcome everyone, including two members of her own family. He said he hopes the rest of his family will be able to join him soon. (CBC)
The flight landed in Moncton shortly after 4 p.m.
Ukrainians were greeted on the tarmac of Greater Moncton International Airport by representatives of the New Brunswick government, including Deputy Prime Minister Blaine Higgs. Brenda Murphy and Arlene Dunn, the New Brunswick Minister for Immigration and Opportunities.
It was a hectic scene inside the terminal, where the newcomers first met the hosts who will help them stay and settle in their new country.
Prime Minister Blaine Higgs welcomed two young Ukrainians to the province after his plane landed in Moncton. (Radio-Canada)
Representatives from Opportunities New Brunswick handed out informational packages about the province to adults and gift bags with coloring books, crayons, and snacks to children.
Higgs said it is a great day not only for newcomers fleeing the war in Ukraine, but also for the province.
“We’re excited to be able to do our part and we’re excited to see 170 people arrive today,” Higgs said.
One of the 170 Ukrainians arrived in Moncton on Tuesday afternoon. (Radio-Canada)
“Whether they return permanently to New Brunswick, [or are] able to return to their homeland, we certainly want them to realize that they are here for as long as they want and need. “
To say that it was a great day for Haidash may be an understatement.
His niece and sister-in-law were two of the people on the flight.
A chartered plane has landed at Greater Moncton’s Romeo LeBlanc International Airport with people fleeing the war in Ukraine. (Radio-Canada)
They have visited Moncton before, but a return visit was postponed, first by the COVID-19 pandemic and then by the war.
“I haven’t seen them in three years,” Haidash said.
Planning for success
Several partners are working with the province to ensure that the integration of newcomers to the province is successful, according to a New Brunswick Opportunities statement.
Spokesman David Kelly said that in selecting the 170 people, the province focused on those who had friends or family in New Brunswick, as well as people who have had a job offer or “adapted to our market needs. labor “.
“Many have jobs lined up, others we connect with our Working NB offices and we will help them find work,” he said in an email.
Ukrainians who arrived on Tuesday are part of a federal-led immigration program, which is speeding up applications from people actively fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. People who come through this program can work and study in the country for three years. At the end of their stay they can also apply for permanent residence.
Recently, the program was updated to include a single, non-taxable financial assistance of $ 3,000 per adult and $ 1,500 per child.
Community, province looking for foster families
Most Ukrainian newcomers will move to Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton.
Higgs said some of those who arrive may need to stay with host families while looking for housing.
Ukrainian soldiers pass by a building badly damaged by a Russian bombing in Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine, on May 28, 2022. Many people are forced to flee their homes while the war continues. (Francisco Seco / The Associated Press)
That’s why the province is asking people interested in housing a family to send an email to ukrainesupport@onbcanada.ca to “be linked to the nearest settlement agency.”
Kelly said the province is linking all newcomers to settlement agencies “in order to make sure they have a safe landing in NB.”
Because of the speed with which people get approved entry into Canada, some have been using social media to find hosts.
Carol Ailles started the Atlantic Canada Hosts Facebook group for Ukrainians when she was first touched by the history of travel to the Eastern European country. In just a few months, the group reached 9,000 members, including Ukrainians, their families and locals, offering everything from accommodation to clothing donations.
“As a host, you’re going to try to give them a little bit of stability, a chance to feel comfortable where they live. So just try to think not what you want, but what they want. What they need.” he told Information Morning in Fredericton.
Ailles, who lives in San Juan, said people would need help not only to sort out their documents, but also to find a place to live and learn the land. He said his Facebook group connects people, but is not affiliated with any settlement agency.
Kathryn Melvin, general manager of Newcomer Connections at the Greater Saint John YMCA, said that all Ukrainians arriving in the city can access Y services, such as getting help with school enrollment, taking classes. languages and establish social security numbers and bank accounts.
He said local hosts are also invited to use their services, whether they are connecting with a family privately or through the agency.
“We have a lot of systems and connections in place,” he said.
Ailles picked up his own Ukrainian guests in Halifax last week and has prepared a room for them at his home.
“[It’s] well if there are at least separate rooms for parents and children … in most cases share kitchen and bathroom “.
Ailles said people often have a three- or four-day trip to get to New Brunswick and will probably need time to rest and fix things when they arrive. Having clothes and food ready for them, and helping them apply for a medical card, would put a heavy burden on their shoulders for the first few days.
“[It] It feels wonderful to help people connect … even more wonderful to see them meet at the airport. “