Help for people affected by the conflict in Ukraine
All levels of government are working hard to make sure that people affected by the conflict in Ukraine have access to the services and support they need to settle in Peel.
What we're doing
We're ensuring those arriving from Ukraine are welcomed, supported and can settle into the community temporarily or long-term. Our work is focused on:
- Government engagement
- Information sharing and outreach
- Strengthening collaboration with service providers and key organizations in the Ukrainian community
- Identifying gaps in settlement support systems and opportunities to address them
Be welcoming and inclusive
For people affected by the conflict in Ukraine, arriving in a new community may be extremely stressful and a difficult adjustment. Being welcoming and inclusive can help make these individuals feel more comfortable as they get to know their new community, make friends, and settle into a new routine.
Immigration Peel helps newcomers to Canada by providing information on local services, programs and events that facilitate and accelerate their settlement and integration into the Peel community.
Information package for Ukrainian newcomers in Peel
These resources are meant to be printed and shared with newcomers.
The Ontario government provides immigration and settlement support information for people affected by the conflict Ukraine. Access resources and support for Ukrainian newcomers.
Access Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada from the Government of Canada to find information on:
Canadian citizens and residents
- Returning to Canada.
- Bringing family members to Canada.
- How you can help.
Ukrainian nationals and their family members
- Applying for the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel.
- Applying to immigrate to Canada.
- Travel, testing and borders information.
- Extending your stay or restore your status in Canada.
If you have questions, refer to the help centre or contact by phone at 613-321-4243.
Emergency contact information for Canadians in Ukraine
- Phone: 1-613-996-8885
- Email: sos@international.gc.ca
- SMS: +1 613-686-3658
- WhatsApp: 613-909-8881
Help when arriving in Canada
In partnership with the Government of Canada, the Red Cross is providing reception services for people displaced from Ukraine as they arrive at select airports in Canada.
Services may include:
- Reception, registration, and translation services.
- Information and referrals to additional supports.
Get more information about how the Red Cross is helping people upon arrival at Canadian airports.
The Red Cross has created welcome packages in Ukrainian, Russian, English, and French with resources to help you during this transition period.
We can help if you're at risk of losing your housing, are homeless, or need affordable housing.
Our staff will work with you to better understand your needs. Access our online screening tool or call 905-453-1300.
Financial help is available from the Ontario government. If you need help paying for food and shelter, you can apply for emergency assistance.
If you are a Ukrainian or migrant with documentation confirming that you are in Ontario under the Canadian-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel and require emergency assistance, you can call 905-793-9200 or toll free at 1-800-327-5379.
Emergency assistance information sheet
These resources are meant to be printed and shared with newcomers.
People looking for jobs in Ontario or employers interested in hiring a Ukrainian newcomer, can call 1-888-562-4769 or email ukrainianjobs@ontario.ca.
The phone line can provide support in languages other than French and English, including Ukrainian.
Ontario is supporting eligible Ukrainians who may need to upgrade their skills or find good jobs in Ontario through the full suite of Employment Ontario programs including, the Skills Development Fund and Second Career.
Hiring newcomers
Immigrants and refugees are skilled and talented and can apply their skills and knowledge to the workforce here. Employers can register available jobs using Job Bank's jobs for Ukraine.
Resource for employers
The strategies for immigrant inclusion in Canadian workplace features easy-to-implement strategies that can support business efforts.
All individuals who have been granted an emergency authorization to come to or remain in Canada for humanitarian reasons, including those in Ontario under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, have access to Ontario health care support and services they may need, including mental health services.
Eligible Ukrainians will also have access to publicly funded prescription drugs.
Apply for a health card
Ontario is working with health care partners, including hospitals and community providers, to ensure that Ukrainians arriving in Ontario, including children, seniors and people with urgent medical needs can receive the health care they may need when they need it.
The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) will pay for many health services as needed.
Apply for OHIP and get a health card.
Refugee HealthLine
A toll-free, multi-language, Refugee HealthLine is available to connect people arriving through humanitarian authorizations (such as Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel) with health care providers who deliver transitional health care and services. Refugees, resettlement assistance programs, sponsors, and settlement agencies can call the Refugee HealthLine at 1-866-286-4770 to find a matching health care provider for services funded by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), the Interim Federal Health Program, or through provincial programs, including:
- Primary care providers (refugee health clinics, community health centres, family health teams, nurse practitioner-led clinics, midwifery practices, physician practices, walk-in clinics).
- Specialists (obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, and psychiatry).
- Mental health service providers.
- Optometrists.
The Refugee HealthLine will refer agencies and individuals to the closest providers capable of taking on eligible patients for transitional care.
Public health services in Peel
Peel Public Health delivers local health services for residents. Access health services in Peel.
Services include:
Students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 arriving in Ontario will be able to attend publicly funded schools.
The Ontario government has amended the regulation under the Education Act to ensure students who have been granted an emergency authorization to come to or remain in Canada for humanitarian reasons, including those in Ontario under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, do not have to pay fees to attend school in the 2021 to 22 and 2022 to 23 school years.
Ontario's Ministry of Education is providing $50,000, to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Toronto Branch, to deliver trauma-informed counselling to students and families through individual and group therapy sessions, and to develop culturally responsive educator toolkits to help teachers and school staff support students.
Enrolling in school
There are 2 school boards in the Region of Peel that school-aged children can attend up to Grade 12.
Peel District School Board
If you are new to Peel, Ontario, or Canada, you can contact the Welcome Centres to begin your child's registration process. You will need to book an appointment by phone or email to begin the registration process.
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board Admission for all non-Canadian, including refugee claimants, international students and students on study permits and parental work permits, must be completed on an individual basis. You will need to contact the Admissions Department to book an appointment.
Programs for children 6 years or younger
EarlyON Child and Family Centres offer free, high-quality programs for families and children from birth to 6 years old. You can learn and play with your child, meet people, and get advice from early childhood professionals.
Find an EarlyON child and family centre.
Apply for child care subsidy
A child care subsidy reduces the amount of money that you pay for licensed child care for your children 12 years or under.
Individuals under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) can apply for a discounted monthly bus pass in Mississauga and Brampton.
Apply to become a host through COSTI
COSTI Immigrant Services is a multicultural organization that offers a range of services and opportunities arising out of specific needs in the community. COSTI is partnering with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and other community organizations and agencies to provide services for Ukrainian newcomers fleeing the conflict in their country. The majority are single women with children who are vulnerable and need assistance with immediate accommodation and settlement-related services including mental health and employment.
COSTI is organizing accommodation for Ukrainian newcomers and essential orientation and referral services in the Greater Toronto Area. A team of COSTI Housing Workers and Settlement Counsellors are ready and available to support the families. All Ukrainian newcomer families are received by the Canadian Red Cross, given a welcome package, and transferred to either a settlement organization or to COSTI. Families are then matched by COSTI with vetted volunteer hosts for accommodation.
If you are interested in providing volunteer housing assistance contact housinghost@costi.org or visit COSTI: announcement details for more information on housing support for Ukrainian newcomers.
Additional help
Organizations are actively supporting people within Ukraine and refugees seeking safety elsewhere with medical and humanitarian aid. Here are some organizations that Canadians can donate to help Ukrainians:
- Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal - Canadian Red Cross
- Canada-Ukraine Foundation
- The Ukrainian Canadian Congress
- The Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society is collecting donations for Ukrainian students studying in Canada who have lost their source of financial support.
Peel Region is not affiliated with any individual organizations. We are not collecting financial or other types of donations on behalf of these organizations. Residents should contact their organization of choice directly.
Sponsor individuals and families
Canadians and permanent residents can play a key role in helping refugees in need of resettlement. The Private Sponsorship of Refugees program lets private groups sponsor eligible refugees abroad.
Volunteering at any community service organizations will benefit Ukrainians and others and helps community organizations engage volunteers in meaningful ways.
There are many volunteer opportunities to support people arriving from Ukraine like providing temporary housing, offering transportation (airport, appointments, accommodations, food shopping etc.), and writing letters to local members of government to request their support.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is currently accepting volunteers to support incoming Ukrainian arrivals.
- Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET)
- Before you leave
- Prepare to travel to and settle in Canada
- Your first 2 weeks in Canada
- Extend your stay or restore your status in Canada
- Biometrics (fingerprints and photo)
- Jobs for Ukraine
- Coming to Ontario from Ukraine
- Orientation to Ontario (multi-language resource)
- Employment Ontario
- Apply for OHIP and get a health card
- Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated Ukrainians and their family members
- National Newcomer Navigation Network
- Peel Human Trafficking Service Providers Committee