2nd Canada-bound charter flight carrying Ukrainians arrives in Montreal

A second charter flight carrying 306 Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s war arrived in Montreal on Sunday.

This flight from Poland is the second of three federal chartered flights organized “to bring people to Canada as a temporary safe haven,” according to Global Affairs Canada.

The Ukrainians who arrived were approved for emergency travel into Canada. The Canada-Ukraine Authorisation for Emergency Travel (CUAET) “offers Ukrainians and their family members free, extended temporary status and allows them to work, study and stay in Canada until it is safe for them to return home,” the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada states on its website. 

The initiative gives Ukrainians three-year visa with the option to apply for an open work permit. A standard case would require up to 14 days to process.

The flight landed in Montreal shortly before 11 a.m., according to The Canadian Press.

The first flight arrived on Monday in Winnipeg and a third flight, bound for Halifax, is scheduled to land on June 2.

0:59 2nd Canada-bound charter flight carrying Ukrainians arrives in Montreal

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser has said the three flights will bring approximately 900 Ukrainians approved for emergency travel into Canada.

“Today’s flight is proof of how Canadians and communities across the country remain ready to welcome Ukrainians fleeing the ongoing invasion of their homeland. We will continue to do everything we can to help Ukrainians find safe-haven in Canada, and ensure their success once they arrive,” said Fraser in a press release.

Fraser and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly both welcomed Ukrainians and their families at the Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport Sunday.

“Canada is unwavering in our support for Ukraine and its people. Welcoming these families in Montréal is a reminder of the human impact of Putin’s war, and of Canada’s continued promise to offer a temporary safe haven to those in need,” Joly said.

According to Global Affairs Canada, those arriving on the three charter flights who do not have proper living arrangements as of yet “will have temporary hotel accommodations for up to 14 nights.”

As of May 25, Canada has received just over 259,000 requests for temporary residency, according to federal government data, with 120,668 of those applications approved.

2:04 Joint efforts to co-ordinate flights for Canada-bound Ukrainian refugees

-With files from The Canadian Press