The B.C. government has launched a new phone line to ensure Ukrainians fleeing violence who are arriving in B.C. have access to the services they need.
The Service BC phone line, 1-800-663-7867, will be available with translation services in Ukrainian, Russian and 140 other languages from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT every day.
The line is in place 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.
The B.C. government announced earlier this week that Ukrainian refugees would immediately get health-care and not have to wait the standard three months for those coming from out of province.
The province is also waiving the international student fee for those arriving from Ukraine and entering the K to 12 system.
The hotline is also in place to coordinate British Columbians who want to volunteer or donate to help displaced Ukrainians feel welcome in the province.
Ukrainian community organizations in major urban centres and regional hubs have indicated to the government that they are overwhelmed by the generosity of British Columbians and need help managing calls and offers of support.
The phone number is also in place to help with that support.
Earlier this week, federal immigration minister Sean Fraser announced an expansion of the federal settlement program to offer key services such as language training, orientation, employment assistance and other supports for Ukrainians as they settle into their new communities.
More than 60,000 Ukrainians have applied to move to Canada but the expectation is many of those people have applied to multiple places to seek refuge.
British Columbia is still looking for details from Ottawa on support for paying for housing and helping either secure employment or provide long-term financial assistance.
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.
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