July 14, 2023
Manitoba Government Provides Additional Funds to Service Providers Supporting Ukrainian Newcomers
– – –Increased Contribution will Expand Service Delivery Capacity: Wharton
The Manitoba government is continuing to offer unwavering support to the people of Ukraine and is providing an additional $456,000 in funding to six Manitoba organizations offering employment services to Ukrainian newcomers, Economic Development, Investment and Trade Minister Jeff Wharton announced today.
“As newcomers from Ukraine arrive in Manitoba, our government is committed to offering services and assistance to support employment needs,” said Wharton. “Today’s funding commitment will enhance the province’s capacity to help Ukrainian newcomers seeking employment, while also addressing a shortage of labour and skills in the province.”
The additional $456,000 will be shared among six organizations currently contracted to assist with employment counselling, resume preparation, short-term training, job search assistance, job referral and job placement with local employers. The funding is available through the Canada-Labour Market Development Agreement and is administered by the Manitoba government.
“Our government remains committed to providing Ukrainian newcomers with dedicated support. This includes making sure they have access to good jobs,” said federal Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Minister Carla Qualtrough. “Through the labour market transfers with Manitoba, we are investing in Manitoba’s workers and creating an economy that thrives and is strengthened by the Canadian workforce. This investment will provide stability to thousands of Ukrainian newcomers and their families seeking a new start after Russia’s illegal and unjustified invasion.”
The amended contribution agreements will ensure the service providers have the staffing and resources needed to continue connecting Ukrainian newcomers with the Manitoba labour market, Wharton noted.
The six service providers include:
- Opportunities for Employment, Winnipeg (funding increase of $171,561);
- Immigrant Centre, Winnipeg (funding increase of $125,010);
- Westman Immigrant Services, Brandon (funding increase of $33,000);
- Regional Connections Inc., Winkler (funding increase of $47,480);
- Parkland Chamber of Commerce, Dauphin (funding increase of $39,973); and
- Steinbach Chamber of Commerce, Steinbach (funding increase of $38,951).
“Immigrant Centre Manitoba is grateful for the support from the Manitoba government which has funded a full-time Ukrainian-Speaking Employment Facilitator soon after Ukrainians began to arrive in 2022. The support received since 2022 has contributed in part to over 608 Ukrainian job seekers finding employment between September 2022 and June 2023,” said Jorge Fernandez, CEO. Immigrant Centre Manitoba. “Immigrant Centre Manitoba is committed to utilizing this funding increase in the most responsible and effective way possible. The increase in funding by the Manitoba government to our current contract will reduce waiting periods for all newcomer job seekers including Ukrainians ensuring they secure employment faster and contribute to the Manitoba economy. We are thankful the Manitoba government is allowing us to support Ukrainians and other newcomers to find independence and make our beautiful and friendly province of Manitoba their new home.”
On a per capita basis, more Ukrainians have sought refuge in Manitoba than any other province, added the minister. Based on federal arrival data, roughly 14 per cent of Canadian arrivals have come to Manitoba.
Through the Manitoba government’s Ukrainian Refugee Task Force, the overwhelming support of the Ukrainian-Canadian community and all Manitobans to date include:
- more than 24,000 Ukrainians have presented at the reception centre;
- more than 228,900 nights of safe shelter and accommodation have been provided;
- approximately 20,000 provincial health cards have been issued; and
- more than 18,200 reimbursement claims for the costs of the federal immigration medical examination required on entry have been processed.
The Manitoba government continues to lead the country in providing a full range of settlement supports and services through the Ukrainian Refugee Task Force, which remains the national benchmark, including:
- intake services to determine individual and family needs;
- meals and temporary accommodations;
- access to co-ordinated health-care services and the issuance of Manitoba Health cards;
- orientation and referral services through Manitoba Start to link people to language training and workforce and employment opportunities;
- resources available through the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Manitoba Provincial Council;
- education and child-care services; and
- transition to more permanent housing.
For up to date information on Manitoba’s response and additional resources available for Ukrainian newcomers, visit https://manitoba4ukraine.ca.
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