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.

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 (external link). 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.

Donate or volunteer to support Ukrainian newcomers

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 and 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

• Immigration measures for people affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine (external link): Main webpage that provides information for Ukrainian individuals to come to Canada and extend their stay in Canada.
• Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) (external link): Help for Ukrainians and their family members come to Canada as quickly as possible and to provide them with the ability to work and study while in Canada. The CUAET also gives those who are already in Canada the option to extend their visitor status, work permit or study permit so that they can continue to live and work or study in Canada temporarily.
• Ukraine immigration measures (external link): Extend your stay or restore your status in Canada - Information about how to extend your stay in Canada as a worker, visitor, or student (for Ukrainians already residing in Canada).
• Canada expands settlement support for Ukrainians coming to Canada (external link): News release on federal government’s settlement support for Ukrainian arrivals.
• New partnership to help Ukrainians come to Canada (external link): News release on Ukrainian travel cost funding strategy announcement.
• Jobs for Ukraine webpage (external link): to help connect Ukrainian newcomers with available jobs.
• Ukraine immigration measures: Open work permits for Ukrainians (external link): Explains open work permit eligibility.

Government of Ontario

• Call toll-free 1-888-562-4769  : a dedicated hotline for Ukrainian families arriving under the new emergency travel authorization.
• Ukrainian newcomers can email ukrainianjobs@ontario.ca   to request job search supports.
• Coming to Ontario from Ukraine (external link): Immigration measures and settlement support for people affected by the conflict in Ukraine, including people who are in Ontario under an emergency authorization.
• Employment Ontario (external link): Find an employment service or training provider in your area to help you find work or training.

Frequently asked questions