The Bloc Québécois accuses the Trudeau government of having “broken its commitment to the Ukrainians displaced by war”, to which the Minister of Immigration, Sean Fraser, replies that “nothing could be further from the truth”.
A tense exchange between the deputy parliamentary leader of the Bloc Québécois, Christine Normandin, and Mr. Fraser punctuated Friday’s question period. The day before, The Canadian Press reported that a partnership announced by Ottawa on April 20 would allow access to only 500 free plane tickets, in the short term, so that Ukrainians who fled the Russian invasion could reach Canada.
“The government promised to help 10,000 people with this funny license, (about) two months ago. Two long months later, he arrives practically empty-handed, with just 500 plane tickets,” said Ms. Normandin in the preamble to her speech in the House.
Indeed, the partnership launched by a collection of Aeroplan points and cash donations aims to provide free air transport to approximately 10,000 Ukrainians who have obtained a Canadian residence permit.
The charity that handles registration logistics for interested Ukrainians, Mile4Migrants, reported on its website that the process – accessible online – opened on Friday, but only for an initial round of 500 tickets, initially. , on a “first come, first served” basis.
“Why did the government break its commitment to the war-displaced Ukrainians? “Launched Ms. Normandin to the Commons.
“More than 30,000 Ukrainians” already there
Mr. Fraser immediately retorted that “nothing could be further from the truth”, mentioning that more than 30,000 Ukrainians have been able to arrive in Canada since last January by commercial flights and three chartered flights by the federal government.
“It is extraordinary that safe haven has been provided so quickly to so many people,” he said.
He also championed the partnership for flights funded by donations of Aeroplan points, saying it’s “something to be proud of.”
This initiative is carried out with the organization Miles4Migrants, but also with Air Canada and the Shapiro Foundation, which act as donors. In all, more than 147 million points were collected with donations also made by Canadians.
“They will start with 500 [billets]but they have secured enough donations to cover transportation costs for at least 10,000 Ukrainians,” the minister continued.
It is not clear when, approximately, the first free flights will occur.
Friday was the start of the registration period for Ukrainians and members of their immediate family and Miles4Migrants only specifies that each interested principal will be contacted “by June 17” by the partner responsible for verifying the validity of files submitted, MOSAIC.