The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills:
Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador once again became a guiding light to the international community when our province welcomed 166 Ukrainian refugees on the first state-sponsored airlift to North America since the Russian invasion of that peaceful country on February 24.
On May 9, families and individuals disembarked from an aircraft after travelling thousands of miles to come to a new land that, until recently, they had little knowledge of. They came because they needed a new home. They came because they learned of this place and the opportunities that awaited them. They came after developing trusting relationships with a dedicated team of professionals from the Provincial Government, including those from the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism. We are all so proud of the work of this small but mighty team.
Speaker, while the welcome since their arrival has been overwhelming, it has not been unanticipated. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador have embraced our new Ukrainian neighbors as family. In fact, many Ukrainians who landed in other parts of Canada are now actively considering relocating to Newfoundland and Labrador. We are building a new community, a Ukrainian community, within our community.
As part of the supports we are offering, tomorrow my office along with the Association for New Canadians and Taskforce NL are offering a job fair for Ukrainians. The fair will take place in St. John’s at the College of the North Atlantic Prince Phillip Drive Campus.
Last Monday, people with experience in resort management, medical technology, trades, accounting and finance, carpentry, among many other skilled professions, arrived on our shores. They are eager to go to work.
Speaker, I would like to thank Gannett Construction, Rambler Mines, Eastern Health, and several others who are already employing Ukrainians. Our strength is in embracing diversity, and once again, Canada, and the world, are taking notice.
Thank you.