With over a million
Ukrainians fleeing the war-torn country, Canada has come up with a new
programme to make space for refugees. Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said
Friday that the new programme will remove the several visa requirements and “it
will be the fastest and safest way to come to Canada.”

“And for
Ukrainians with family members who are Canadian citizens or permanent
residents, we’ll implement a special family reunification sponsorship pathway
towards permanent residence,” the Canadian PM wrote on Twitter.

According to an
official statement from the prime minister’s office, the IRCC (Immigration,
Refugees and Citizenship Canada) is introducing new immigration streams for
Ukrainians fleeing their country. As part of these new immigration streams,
there will be no limits on the number of Ukraine citizens who can apply.

One of the most
immigrant-friendly nations in the world, Canada’s new programme will allow
Ukrainians extend their stay in the country for by at least two years.
Ukrainians coming to Canada will also be able to seek work permits. “As
previously announced, IRCC will issue open work permits to Ukrainian visitors,
workers and students who are currently in Canada and cannot safely go home,”
the government of Canada’s statement read.

Canadian PM Justin
Trudeau has maintained close contact with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky
amid the ongoing Russian aggression. On Friday, Trudeau spoke to Zelensky after
Russian forces attacked a nuclear powerplant in Zaporizhzhia. The powerplant,
which caught on fire, is the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe.

During an earlier
conversation, Trudeau had affirmed “his commitment to continue supporting the
Ukrainian people and work alongside allies and international partners to hold
Russia accountable for its unjustifiable and illegal invasion of Ukraine’s
sovereign territory.”

Canada has imposed
severe sanctions on Russia along with allies United States and United Kingdom.
A couple of days ago, Canada imposed a new set of sanctions on Russian energy
supplies.