The Government of Alberta has announced additional funding and supports for Ukrainian refugees, March 21, 2023. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Alberta to create help line and increase supports for Ukrainian refugees

Mar 21, 2023 | 11:23 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Government of Alberta said it will do more to assist refugees who are coming into the province from Ukraine.

Premier Danielle Smith said the 2023 provincial budget would provide additional funding and resources

“Our government is committed to helping the thousands of Ukrainians seeking refuge here,” said Smith. “Thanks to the efforts of so many tireless volunteers in addition to work by our government, Ukrainian newcomers have access to numerous resources available to them to integrate into communities across Alberta smoothly and successfully.”

If approved, the budget would include $2.1 million in additional supports for pre-arrival services and establish a Ukrainian Help Line.

The creation of the help line was one of the recommendations of the Premier’s Advisory Task Force on Ukraine.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

6h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

12h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

Dec 11, 2024

Minister of Trade, Immigration, and Multiculturalism Rajan Sawhney said one of the troubles Ukrainian nationals were having when entering Alberta was navigating complex programming and applications.

She adds that the help desk will ensure that Ukrainian evacuees and the organizations that serve them can get timely, accurate information in the language of their choosing.

“The task force has done crucial work in uncovering gaps in supports for Ukrainian evacuees,” said Sawhney. “It also ensured we are providing support where it will have the biggest impact. As a government, we have a responsibility to get this right for these evacuees, and the advice from the task force is ensuring we do.”

Other previously-announced supports for Ukrainian refugees in Budget 2023 include:

• $7 million over three years for settlement and language supports to help agencies and immigrant-serving organizations meet increased service demands.
• $9.9 million for social housing and rent supplement programs through Alberta’s Rent Supplement Program to address growing waitlists for supports. This is on top of the additional $6.8 million made available in late 2022-23.
• $3.6 million to support emergency and ongoing financial benefits similar to those provided through the Income Support program. In addition, the Evacuee Emergency Financial Support and Benefits program, launched in March 2022 to provide emergency benefits for Ukrainian evacuees, will be extended to January 2024 to ensure both new and existing applicants can receive emergency or ongoing financial benefits.
• $1.5 million through the new Ukrainian Student Benefit for post-secondary institutions to continue providing financial supports for Ukrainian newcomer students. Eligibility for Alberta apprenticeship education programs has also been expanded to allow Ukrainian temporary residents to participate.
• $12,000 in funding to the Red Deer Public Library to help Ukrainian newcomers learning English as an Additional Language.

Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Alberta has welcomed 26,572 Ukrainian refugees into the province. More than $28 million has been directed towards supports.

READ MORE: Province announces more supports for displaced Ukrainian students