Monday April 4, 2022 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
As mentioned by BC Premier John Horgan on March 30, the province is now providing a toll-free phone line offering support to Ukrainians fleeing violence. That includes enabling support by British Columbians.
“To ensure Ukrainians fleeing violence who are arriving in B.C. have access to the services they need, and to co-ordinate the generosity of British Columbians, the Province is updating supports,” it was stated in a news release on April 1 from the office of the premier and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.
The Service BC phone line is 1-800-663-7867. The line will be available with translation services in Ukrainian, Russian and 140 other languages and will be available from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific time) every day.
Two main purposes:
- to help people arriving from Ukraine and their families in locating and accessing the services they need, such as employment, health care, housing and education; and
- to co-ordinate British Columbians who want to volunteer or donate to help displaced Ukrainians feel welcome in British Columbia.
Helps community organizations:
Ukrainian community organizations in major urban centres and regional hubs have indicated they are overwhelmed by the generosity of British Columbians and need help managing calls and offers of support.
Services and support through the 1-800-663-7867 phone number will help assist with these pressures.
Arriving in BC:
Most Ukrainians coming to B.C. are expected to arrive through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel program. Under this new federal program, Ukrainians and their family members will be allowed to stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to three years. Ukrainians will be allowed to apply for a three-year open work permit.
The Province is coordinating a cross-government response to ensure Ukrainians have access to supports and programs they need. Additional supports will come online in the weeks ahead.
===== RELATED:
Support for Ukraine in Langford (April 4, 2022) – article to come
K-12 seats for Ukrainian refugees (March 14, 2022)
Horgan on Ukrainian refugee crisis: housing & K12 (March 11, 2022)
Canadians offering support for Ukraine (February 26, 2022)
Streamline and speed up handling of Ukraine refugees says NDP (February 25, 2022)
Ukraine situation reminds Canadians about freedom (January 27, 2022)
EDITORIAL: Playing footsies with war (January 13, 2020)