The federal government has entered into a new partnership with Air Canada and the nonprofit sector, which will allow Canadians to donate their frequent travelers to help fleeing Ukrainians come to Canada.
The program, called Ukraine2Canada Travel Fund, aims to bring 10,000 Ukrainians to Canada under Ottawa’s new emergency immigration program.
“We urge Canadians and Canadian businesses to continue our proud tradition of helping the world’s most vulnerable,” said a statement from Canadian Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
Donations of Aeroplan points and money will be made by the non-profit organization Miles4Migrants, a US-based charity that collects points for frequent travelers to help people fleeing war, persecution and disaster.
WATCH: Immigration Minister Announces More Aid for Ukrainians Traveling to Canada
The Minister of Immigration announces help to help Ukrainians come to Canada
Sean Fraser says Canadians and Canadian companies can donate Aeroplan points to Ukraine2Canada Travel Fund through Air Canada or Miles4Migrants to help Ukrainians flee the war in Canada. 0:29
Air Canada, which owns and operates Aeroplan’s loyalty program, will provide 100 million points to the fund. The Shapiro Foundation, another US non-profit organization, will match donations of up to 50 million Aeroplan points.
The federal government advises Canadians to donate their points through the Miles4Migrants website or directly through Air Canada. Anyone wishing to donate money to the program can do so through the Greater Toronto Jewish Foundation.
“We are grateful for their generous offers of assistance and will continue to do our utmost to support Ukrainians before and after their arrival in Canada,” Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said in a statement.
The federal government does not match donations or contribute financially to the program. Eligibility for the program is limited to Ukrainians and their families approved for travel to Canada.
Ottawa has promised to welcome an unlimited number of Ukrainians who have the right to stay in Canada for up to three years as temporary residents under an immigration program announced in response to the Russian invasion.
The government announced earlier this month that it would organize targeted charter flights for Ukrainians coming to Canada.
Ukrainians arriving through the special immigration program will also have access to some settlement services that are not normally offered to temporary residents, including short-term income support and two weeks of paid hotel accommodation.
More than 16,000 Ukrainians have come to Canada under the program so far. Ottawa has so far approved a trip to Canada for more than 46,000 Ukrainians.
According to UNHCR, more than five million Ukrainians have fled their country since the start of the war with Russia in late February.
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