War is the worst thing that can happen to a country. It seemed that after the First and Second World Wars, military actions in the 21st century would be impossible. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and military conflicts are occurring in many countries in the modern era. On February 24, 2022, a full-scale war began in the heart of Europe – Russia attacked Ukraine. This news shook the entire world. Canada was no exception, as it is home to one of the largest Ukrainian diasporas. With the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine in 2022, Toronto became one of the main centres of support for Ukrainians in Canada. The city organized a wide range of assistance to ease the lives of temporarily displaced persons from Ukraine and facilitate their adaptation to a new environment. Today, we’ll talk more about how Toronto residents are helping Ukrainians during the war. Read more on the pages of torontoyes.com.
Key Assistance for Ukrainians
Since 2022, many countries, including Canada, have actively assisted Ukraine. In Toronto, one of the key initiatives has been the CUAET (Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel) program, which has provided Ukrainians with the opportunity to legally reside, work, and study in Canada. Additionally, specialized organizations like CUIAS Immigrant Services have begun operating in our city, where Ukrainian-speaking specialists help with immigration procedures, document completion, and provide consultations on legalization.
It’s worth noting that from 2022 until March 31, 2025, Ukrainians in Toronto have had access to free social services – language courses, employment assistance, housing searches, children’s and sports programs, as well as medical support.
Ukrainians fleeing the war to Toronto are actively seeking employment in Canada. After all, they need to make a living. That’s why job banks have been created in the metropolis, collaborating with local employers to help Ukrainians quickly find work matching their skills and experience. Incidentally, volunteer organizations and charitable foundations organize training sessions, professional development courses, and employment consultations.
Financial Support
In addition to immigration support, Ukrainians in Toronto have the opportunity to receive one-time financial assistance – $3,000 CAD per adult and $1,500 CAD per child. Furthermore, numerous charitable organizations operate in Toronto, collecting funds and resources to support Ukrainian families, providing them with essential items, medical supplies, and psychological assistance.
It should be noted that Ukrainian families in Toronto can receive childcare subsidies and other social benefits through local services, such as Human Services Integration (HSI). Additionally, there are information centres and online communities in the metropolis where Ukrainians can receive up-to-date advice on life, work, education, and medical care in Canada.
We should add that nearly seven million Ukrainians have left Ukraine during the full-scale war. Over six million reside in Europe. As for Canada, as of early April 2024, almost 300,000 Ukrainian refugees have utilized the CUAET program and arrived in our country. A significant portion of them have settled in the province of Ontario, where the city of Toronto is located, which has welcomed approximately 90,000 Ukrainians – this accounts for roughly 40% of all newcomers. Overall, Toronto is one of the main centres of the Ukrainian diaspora in Canada, with about one million Ukrainians living there.
This is how the city of Toronto welcomes Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. We hope this material was informative for you and that you learned more about your home city.