A recently-implemented change to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) will allow many displaced Ukrainian families to put down permanent roots and build a safe, secure life in this province, according to Danylo Puderak, Executive-Director of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Saskatchewan Provincial Council ((UCC-SPC).
“A high percentage of people who came to Saskatchewan under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program are looking to stay here permanently,” said Puderak. “We realize the war is not going to be over anytime soon, and unfortunately, many of those who are arriving are coming from those parts of Ukraine which are either very close to the front lines or are occupied by Russia, so their future in their homes is not something that is on the horizon at this point.”
Puderak noted one million Ukrainians have received a CUAET visa, which allows them temporary resident status (with the ability to work and support their families) in Canada. So far, about 200,000 have arrived in this country, including about 5,500 in Saskatchewan.
However, the three-year CUAET program is scheduled to end in March, 2024.
“So, this is crunch time for those who have a CUAET visa,” said Puderak. “They have to decide.”
The vast majority of displaced Ukrainians in Saskatchewan are employed as temporary workers in lower and intermediate-skilled jobs, mainly in the service sector.
Under the former SINP rules, only temporary workers in high-skilled occupations or designated trades were eligible to apply for permanent residency status. The change to the SINP program, announced in Saskatoon on Wednesday, November 1, expands the eligibility to intermediate- and lower-skilled occupations. Applicants must also meet language requirements have a permanent, full-time job offer.
Martensville-Warman MLA Terry Jenson, speaking on behalf of Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison at the November 1 news conference at a Saskatoon business, said the change is aimed at supporting worker retention in the province’s booming labour market.
“Through this expansion, our government is improving worker retention and directly addressing labour market gaps that Saskatchewan employers currently face,” said Jenson. “Creating more permanent residency opportunities for displaced Ukrainians and other international workers, is just another way our government is further supporting Saskatchewan’s businesses and economy.”
Jenson said the change to the SINP program includes 279 occupations, including farm labourers, truck drivers, retail sales, nurse aides and equipment operators.
Saskatoon Fire and Flood Partner Brennen Mills said the new rules will benefit new immigrants and Saskatchewan businesses equally.
There is no single answer for the labour shortage, now and into the future,” said Mills. “The expansion to the SINP program is a good first step, as it enables us to support our employees in the immigration process, while also helping us fill vital positions.”
Mills said about 22 per cent of his company’s work force is made up of temporary workers. Allowing these employees to apply for permanent residency status gives both the workers and the company greater stability, and allows planning for future growth.
Mills said the company is working to create a diverse workforce, including Indigenous employees. He said one of the biggest challenges for newly-arrived immigrants is mastering English, adding that Ukrainian employees who have been with the company for years are excellent mentors for the newcomers.
Two women from Ukraine who are now working at Saskatoon Fire and Flood say they will be applying for permanent residency status.
“This feels like home now,” said one of the women. “I didn’t have much when I came here, and it took me four months to find a job. But I’m happy now and I want to stay.”