Skip Navigation

Halton Region welcomes Ukrainian newcomers

Breadcrumbs
 

Learn about supports available for local Ukranian newcomers during the war in Ukraine and how existing residents can get involved.

Welcome Ukrainian newcomers

Halton Region, together with its Local Municipalities, community partners and agencies work together to provide essential programs, services and supports. This collective work contributes to the quality of life, safety and health for so many residents across the region. In coordination with its local partners and the Provincial and Federal Governments, Halton continues to address community needs and emerging issues such as the tragic circumstances faced by Ukrainians.

Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced and the Government of Canada is committed to providing Ukrainians and their families with a safe haven while the war continues in their home country. Working together with residents, businesses, our local partners and the Provincial and Federal Governments, Halton Region welcomes Ukrainian newcomers to our community. Along with our partners, we will offer supports to newcomers and assistance to those who want to help newcomers get resettled in Halton.

Important

The Federal Government has established the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET), and classifies Ukrainian arrivals as “visitors”—not “refugees”. Learn more about Regional supports for Ukrainian newcomers.

Regional supports for Ukrainian newcomers

Find a place to live

  • Halton Region offers a variety of housing supports and services to Ukrainian newcomers:
    • Halton Housing Help can assist Ukrainians with finding suitable, affordable accommodations in Halton.
    • The Housing Stability Fund can assist with the acquisition of basic furniture, beds, moving costs, last month’s rent, and other incidentals.
    • Halton Region can provide family emergency shelter to individuals arriving in Halton. As noted above, and dependent on demand this may take the form of college dormitories and/ or hotel units. While in an emergency shelter, Ukrainians can request assistance in acquiring more permanent housing and accessing social services.

Find a doctor

Halton provides a listing of family physicians currently accepting patients.

Get help with childcare and parenting

  • The Child Care Fee Subsidy program supports eligible parents/caregivers with the cost of child care for children who are 0-12 years of age. Ukrainian families who are attending school, working, or have a referral based on medical or exceptional needs may qualify.
  • EarlyON Child and Family Centres: Ukrainian families can attend EarlyON Child and Family Centres to participate in programs, receive parenting support, and connect with other parents/caregivers and their children. EarlyON Centres are for children aged 0-6 years and their parents/caregivers.
  • Children's Developmental Services: Ukrainian families with children who are at developmental risk or have special needs can access multiple programs through Children’s Developmental Services.
  • Newcomers can connect with HaltonParents for a variety of free parenting programs, including health professionals providing quality parenting and health information for those thinking about pregnancy to raising teenagers, to resources available to children with special needs.

Get ready for school

Get information about immunizations needed for school attendance and the recommended immunization schedule in Ontario.

Access employment and financial supports

  • Emergency Assistance (external link): Ukrainians who require financial assistance while waiting for federal support may be eligible for Emergency Assistance through the Ontario Works program.
  • Employment Assistance: Through Employment Halton, Ukrainians can access virtual employment workshops 24/7 and register for employment related workshops at haltonjobs.ca. Ukrainians with a work permit can also receive individual assistance from Employment Halton staff to help them find a job.
  • Subsidized Passes for Low Income Transit (SPLIT): Through the SPLIT program, Ukrainian migrants may apply for assistance with the cost of a bus pass or tickets in Burlington, Milton and Oakville or the cost to participate in the ActiVan or Taxi Scrip programs in Halton Hills. If eligible, 50% of the transportation costs will be paid on the individual’s behalf.

Need more information?

For more information or to apply for one of the Regional supports on this page, please call 311 or email accesshalton@halton.ca

There are several options for making a donation in support of Ukrainian newcomers and help them resettle in Halton.

  • The Canadian Red Cross (external link) has launched the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal to respond to the vast humanitarian needs that continue to arise due to the conflict. Donations will enable the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to respond to humanitarian needs in Ukraine and surrounding countries, which includes immediate and ongoing relief efforts. For more information on these efforts please visit redcross.ca (external link).
  • St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church: In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, St. Joseph’s parish has undertaken a number of initiatives to provide assistance to the victims of war, including support for international students at local colleges, outreach to Ukrainian children from local Halton Catholic schools, preparations for the anticipated influx of Ukrainian arrivals, and collecting then shipping supplies to Ukraine residents in Poland. Donations to the church will cover the costs of running these programs. Financial donations to the church to support these efforts can be made by e-transferring money to admin@sjucc.ca adding the comment "Humanitarian aid for Ukraine".
  • St. Volodymyr (external link) is a Cultural Centre & Banquet Hall in Oakville asking those interested in supporting, please donate directly to credible organizations such as the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (external link).
  • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (external link) is accepting donations to help ensure that Ukrainians forced to flee their homes are sheltered and safe.

Local community resources and other supports

Newcomer supports/settlement services

  • Achēv (external link) delivers employment, newcomer, language and youth services, including a wide range of immigrant services to help newcomers settle in Canada. Supports include: education and training, employment, health, housing, legal, financial, social and recreational.
  • Centre for Skills Development (external link) provides free services for qualified immigrants new to Canada and Halton Region. Services include English classes, enhanced language training, settlement assistance, and job search assistance.
  • HMC Connections (external link): Halton Multicultural Council is a settlement agency that provides a variety of programs and services to immigrant and refugee communities.
  • Halton District School Board - The Welcome Centre (external link): The Welcome Centresupports new/returning families to the Halton Region and offers services, including: registration, assessment and settlement support. Fee-paying paying students and their families are supported through the International Students Program.
  • Oakville Public Library (external link) works closely with HMC Connections, Centre for Skills Development, and Achēv Newcomer Information Centre to bring a variety of programs and events for newcomers to their locations.
  • YMCA Immigrant Services (external link): YMCA of Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford helps newcomers connect with a wide range of services such as health care, education, and language help, and supports newcomers with completing forms and documents, licensing and accreditation, interpretation and translation.

Other community organizations

  • Oakville Community Foundation - Oakville Resettlement Fund (external link): With the growing crisis in the Ukraine, donations made to the Oakville Resettlement Fund will help future Ukrainian arrivals in the Oakville and Halton Area.
  • LifeWorks (external link) is a world leader in providing digital and in-person solutions that support the mental health and well-being of individuals and has opened a specialized Crisis Support Line (external link) for anyone in need of emotional support in relation to the events in Ukraine. The Crisis Support Line is open 24/7 and can be reached at 1-844-751-2133. By calling, individuals will receive professional emotional support and/or referral to community resources.
  • Food for Life (external link): For a list of currently open neighbourhood food programs run by municipality.

Provincial and Federal Government

Government of Canada

Government of Ontario

Frequently asked questions

How can I make a donation or volunteer my time?

Please refer to Donate, sponsor or volunteer to support Ukrainian newcomers for details.

Are there any other resources or organizations where I can find out more about helping?

Please refer to Donate, sponsor or volunteer to support Ukrainian newcomers or Local community resources and other supportsfor details.

Is there a newcomer welcome centre in Halton?

Available through the Halton District School Board, The Welcome Centre (external link) supports new/returning families to Halton Region and offers services, including: registration, assessment and settlement support. Fee-paying students and their families are supported through the International Students Program. Several other local services and supports are available to Ukrainian newcomers—to learn more, visit our Local community resources and other supports and supports for Ukrainian newcomers.

What housing services does Halton Region offer to newcomers?

Halton Region can provide Ukrainian arrivals, classed as visitors by the federal government, with short-term housing supports. These include: assistance helping to locate affordable rental housing options in Halton Region’s private rental market, providing one-time financial assistance to assist with last month’s rent, moving/storage costs and furniture acquisition, as well as emergency shelter as required. For further details, please see the supports for Ukrainian newcomers.

Can Halton Region help Ukrainian newcomers find a job?

Yes, the Region offers employment Assistance through Employment Halton. Ukrainians can access virtual employment workshops 24/7 and register for employment related workshops at haltonjobs.ca. Ukrainians with a work permit can also receive individual assistance from Employment Halton staff to help them find a job.

What public health services does Halton Region offer to newcomers?

Newcomers can connect with HaltonParents for a variety of free parenting programs, including health professionals providing quality parenting and health information for those thinking about pregnancy to raising teenagers, to resources available to children with special needs. You can also get information about immunizations needed for school attendance and the recommended immunization schedule in Ontario. Halton Region Public Health also provides a listing of family physicians currently accepting patients.

How do I apply for childcare subsidy in Halton Region?

The Child Care Fee Subsidy program supports eligible parents/caregivers with the cost of child care for children who are 0-12 years of age. Ukrainian families who are attending school, working, or have a referral for a medical or exceptional circumstance may qualify.

Does Halton Region welcome all immigrants/newcomers in the same way?

Halton Region offers a variety of services and supports to all newcomers. To learn more, please call 311.

TOP