Ontario announces $300M more in support for Ukraine, priority travel processing for refugees | FULL

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced further support on Wednesday for Ukrainians fleeing the region as Russia's war in the European country continues.

Ford was joined by Deputy Premier Christine Elliott, Labour Minister Monte McNaughton, and Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma.

Ford said Ontario is pledging an additional $300 million in support for refugees arriving in the province. This will include expanded OHIP and drug coverage, emergency housing and income support for those who qualify. As well, Ukrainian refugees will receive priority processing in Ontario's Immigration Nominee Program.

Ford said a hotline and email address have been established to connect local employers with those seeking employment at 1-888-562-4769 or at [email protected].

Elementary and high school students coming to Ontario from Ukraine can attend publicly funded schools for free, Ford said, and the province intends to provide trauma-informed counseling and other support to students and families through a new $450,000 investment through Canadian-Ukrainian community organizations.

The province is also establishing a new $2 million Ontario-Ukraine solidarity scholarship for Ukrainians studying at Ontario's publicly assisted colleges and Universities. Finally, Ford said his government is providing a $900,000 increase to the Canadian-Ukrainian Aid Society to help that agency offer targeted settlement services.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/8739085/russia-ukraine-peace-talks-dragging-along-kremlin/

Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc
Like Global News on Facebook HERE: http://bit.ly/255GMJQ
Follow Global News on Twitter HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt
Follow Global News on Instagram HERE: https://bit.ly/2QZaZIB
#GlobalNews #DougFord #OntarioUkraineImmigrants