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Networking & Social with UCPBA

We are delighted to invite you to our upcoming Networking & Social event, hosted by UCPBA Toronto. Join us this springtime for an opportunity to expand your professional network, engage in mentorship opportunities, or simply reconnect with colleagues.

The event will be held at the newly opened UNO Bistro, located at the UNF Community Centre. This inviting venue offers the perfect ambiance for networking and socializing with like-minded professionals.

We hope that you can join us for this exciting event and look forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Free with Registration.
Complementary Snacks Provided.

https://UCPBA-Social.eventbrite.ca

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Yalynka 2023 Recap

We wish to extend our gratitude and thank everyone’s contribution for making YALYNKA 2022 a great success at the Old Mill Toronto.

We hope you have enjoyed it and we look forward to seeing you back late this year again.  All net proceeds are donated to the Humanitarian Relief for Ukraine.

We wish to extend a special thanks to our sponsors and more:

✭✭✭ Platinum – BCU Financial Group
✭✭ Gold – Ukrainian Credit Union
✭✭ Gold – Myhal Family Foundation

✭ Sing With Ukraine
✭ Zirkova Vodka
✭ Adoreyes

Photos by Anna Sudyk Photography https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.531665102390533&type=3

Slava Ukraini !!!

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DYNAMIC WOMEN: A SPOTLIGHT ON UKRAINIAN CANADIAN ENTREPRENEURS

For this year’s International Women’s Day, join us for Dynamic Women: A Spotlight on Ukrainian Canadian Visual Entrepreneurs panel discussion.

With panelists:

Maria Janchenko

Sophia Pierro

Ivanka Siolkowsky

Katherine Vellinga

Moderated by Uliana Tomiuk, President of the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Association of Toronto.

Join this discussion about the challenges and gains of women in business and the role their Ukrainian Canadian heritage has had in their journey. A networking reception will follow.

For more details and to register please see here :https://stvolodymyr.org/calendar/2023/3/8-dynamic-women

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Save the Date for Knowledge Hub 2023

If you’re involved in running a church, charity, or not-for-profit organization, then mark your calendars for Thursday, March 23, 2023, from 5:30 pm to 9 pm. That’s when the Knowledge Hub 2023 seminar will be taking place, and it’s one event you don’t want to miss.

Join us for a night of networking and knowledge to build capacity and resiliency in the charity and not-for profit sector in the Ukrainian Canadian Community. 

The event will take place at the Old Mill in Toronto, and there will be in-person and livestream options available.

The seminar will feature three expert speakers who will cover a variety of topics that are relevant to churches, charities, and not-for-profits.

Bohdana Bashuk, the executive director of the Shevchenko Foundation, will be presenting on securing funding for your project, with a focus on grant writing.

Taras Kulish, a lawyer from Mills & Mills LLP, will be discussing changes for charities in 2022, specifically working with partners and disbursement quotas.

Victor Lishchyna, a lawyer from Mitchell Bardyn & Zalucky LLP, will be sharing tips and traps for gifts to charities in a will.

These presentations will be invaluable for anyone involved in running a church, charity, or not-for-profit organization, including volunteers, advisors, lawyers, accountants, administrators, and directors.

The registration fee for the seminar is $20-$35, and sandwiches, coffee, and tea will be served. The event is being brought to you by the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Association of Toronto and our partners Ukrainian Canadian Social Services Toronto and Ukrainian Canadian Bar Association.

Whether you’re looking to learn about changes to charity regulations, secure funding for your organization, or understand the ins and outs of gifting to charities in a will, the Knowledge Hub 2023 seminar is the perfect place to do it. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the experts and network with other professionals in the industry. Save the date and register!

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Toronto Fundraising Luncheon with Bill Browder

“Exposing Putin’s Campaign to Steal Billions and Terrorize Those Who Stand in His Way.” Hear Bill Browder, New York Times Bestseller Author and Vladimir Putin’s public enemy number one, describe how we can take on one of the most ruthless villains in the world – and win.

Join us for an in-person discussion by Bill Browder, an individual who has successfully fought against the Putin regime for the past 15 years.  This event is being organized through the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Ukrainian Canadian Professional & Business Association and the Ukrainian Canadian Bar Association.

Here are the details for the event:

            What               Luncheon with Bill Browder – “Exposing Putin’s Campaign to Steal Billions and Terrorize Those Who Stand in His Way”

            When              Wednesday, October 19, 2022 – 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

            Where             Albany Club, 91 King Street East, Toronto

            Why                In Support of Canada-Ukraine Foundation’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (https://www.cufoundation.ca/) – All net proceeds will be donated to this cause with charitable receipts issued.

           Purchase tickets            https://www.eventbrite.com/e/luncheon-with-bill-browder-tickets-441187532787

Mr. Browder is:

  • The CEO and co-founder of Hermitage Capital Management, the investment advisor to the Hermitage Fund, which at one time was the largest foreign portfolio investor in Russia.
  • Declared a threat to Russian national security based on his shareholder rights activism against some of Russia’s largest companies.
  • A global advocate for the adoption of Magnitsky legislation (named after Mr. Browder’s tax lawyer who was murdered in a Russian jail), intended to sanction foreign government officials who are deemed to be human rights offenders.
  • A New York Times best-selling author – Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man’s Fight for Justice (published in 2015) and his most recent book (published in April), Freezing Order: A True Story of Money Laundering, Murder and Surviving Vladimir Putin’s Wrath

Special thanks to our sponsors:
✭✭✭ Gold – Ukrainian Credit Union

✭✭✭ Gold – Temerty Foundation

✭✭ Silver– Stewart McKelvey

✭Bronze– Rodan Energy Solutions

✭ Bronze – BCU Financial Group

Contact organizers at contact@ucpba.ca

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Employment Issues for Newcomers in Canada

June 16, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm EST – session on Employment Issues for Newcomers in Canada

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
____________________________________________________________________
This is a series of webinars and Q&A sessions put together by Canadian lawyers and legal practitioners to support for people affected by the situation in Ukraine in Canada and abroad, who need immediate legal information.
The sessions are free and open to public. We can answer questions in English and Ukrainian.
For the recordings of our previous sessions please see this link
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Безкоштовні онлайн зустрічі з Канадськими юристами з питань іміграції в Канаду.
Четвер, 16 Червня з 6 до 7 вечора (EST time zone) – Вебінар з питань Канадського трудового права 

Реєструйтеся щоб отримати лінк CLICK HERE TO REGISTER та слідкуйте за оновленнями сторінки.

Information for Ukrainians coming to different provinces in Canada

Settlement Support

The federal government has announced that Settlement Program services, which are typically only available to permanent residents, will be extended until March 31, 2023, for temporary residents in Canada eligible under the CUAET. Key services that are available to Ukrainians as they settle into their new communities in Canada include: language training; information about and orientation to life in Canada, such as help with enrolling children in school; information and services to help access the labour market, including mentoring, networking, counselling, skills development and training; activities that promote connections with communities; assessments of other needs Ukrainians may have and referrals to appropriate agencies; services targeted to the needs of women, seniors, youth and LGBTQ2+ persons; and other settlement supports available through the settlement program.

Find out how to prepare for your journey to Canada, what you can expect when you arrive at this link.

Information is available to Ukrainians arriving in different provinces:

  • Alberta’s government is prioritizing the assessment of applications for permanent residency made by Ukrainian nationals. For more information and additional measures visit here.
  • British Columbia launched a website Welcoming Ukraine to help Ukrainians, who have come to the province in search of safety.
  • Manitoba established a reception centre for Ukrainians and offers continuous support for the new arrivals. Read more
  • New Brunswick supports for Ukraine are described here.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador launched a registration process for Ukrainians arriving in the province and are offering information in both English and Ukrainian on their government website.
  • The Province of Nova Scotia partnered with the YMCA to provide more support for Ukrainian newcomers arriving in Nova Scotia. For a full list of support measures in English and Ukrainian visit
  • The Ontario government has announced support programs for Ukrainians in Ontario. The full list of immigration measures and settlement support offered by Ontario for Ukrainians can be found here.  If you are new to Ontario, you can find answers to common questions in Ukrainian on these websites: org, Dopomoha.ca , cuias.org
  • The Government of Prince Edward Island is offering support through Immigrant & Refugee Services Association. For more details click
  • The Province of Quebec launched a dedicated telephone line and email to inform and guide Ukrainians arriving in the province. Welcoming Ukrainians to Quebec page can be accessed
  • The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to welcoming an unlimited number of individuals and families who are fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Read more
  • Yukon has the Ukrainian family support desk, which provides help and resources for people impacted by the ongoing situation in Ukraine. To learn more, see
  • To get more information about settlement in the Northwest Territories visit their government website here.
  • For programs and services in Nunavut visit their government website here .

UCPBA has been supporting a series of webinars, where Canadian immigration lawyers discuss various Canadian immigration programs and answer frequently asked questions. For all webinar recordings, see this link.

Compiled by Olha Senyshyn, Immigration lawyer in Toronto, UCPBA VP-Operations.

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Information for Ukrainians coming to Canada

Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET)

CUAET allows all Ukrainian nationals and their family members to apply for a visitor visa to enter Canada and remain in Canada up to 3 years from the time of entry. Link here

How to Apply for the CUAET (Online only)

The first step for prospective CUAET applicants is to sign in to their GCKey account or, if the prospective applicant has not applied for a Canadian visa before, to create a new account. Here is the link to do so. 

FASKEN law firm has created a step-by-step guide for applying under the CUAET program, which can be found here. This guide is also available in Ukrainian and Russian languages. There are also video tutorials about how to apply under the CUAET program, in English and in Ukrainian

Jobs 

The CUAET allows Ukrainian visa applicants to apply for a free open work permit, which would allow displaced Ukrainians and their family members to be able to work in Canada. Additionally, Ukrainian nationals who are already in Canada or who arrive in Canada on a visa other than the CUAET visitor visa but are eligible for the CUAET visitor visa can apply for this open work permit online.

The federal government has also launched a Jobs for Ukraine website, which Ukrainians in Canada can use to search for jobs if they wish to work. 

The Ontario government has launched a jobs hotline (1-888-562-4769) and an email address (ukrainianjobs@ontario.ca) to connect new arrivals with job search support and local employers in the community. Ontario has also announced that existing jobs programs in the province, such as the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, the Second Career Program, and the Skills Development Fund will favour Ukrainian applicants. 

The European Jobs for Ukraine website includes some job postings in Canada. Ukrainians in Canada can also search for job openings on Indeed

Settlement Support 

The federal government has announced that Settlement Program services, which are typically only available to permanent residents, will soon be extended until March 31, 2023, for temporary residents in Canada eligible under the CUAET. Key services that will be available to Ukrainians as they settle into their new communities in Canada include: language training; information about and orientation to life in Canada, such as help with enrolling children in school; information and services to help access the labour market, including mentoring, networking, counselling, skills development and training; activities that promote connections with communities; assessments of other needs Ukrainians may have and referrals to appropriate agencies; services targeted to the needs of women, seniors, youth and LGBTQ2+ persons; and other settlement supports available through the settlement program. 

The Ontario government has announced support programs for Ukrainians in Ontario who have traveled to Canada through the CUAET, including access to healthcare through OHIP, access to emergency housing, and ensuring that Ukrainian elementary and secondary school students can attend publicly funded schools for free. The full list of settlement services offered by Ontario can be found here.  

For immigration related questions, contact: 

The Ukrainian Canadian Bar Association at help@ucbanational.com 

Canadian immigration lawyers available to assist Ukrainians 

Canada Immigration Lawyers Association published a list of lawyers available to provide immigration assistance to those affected by the war in Ukraine Link 

The Canadian Bar Association has compiled a list of lawyers who may provide pro bono assistance to Ukrainians and how to request pro bono assistance 

Support and announcements from Canadian Universities 

York University: financial supports, mental health supports, academic advising, visa and immigration supports 

Vancouver Institute of Media Arts (VanArts): offering 25 full tuition scholarships for several one-year diploma programs for displaced Ukrainians 

University of Alberta: working to extend help to applicants, students and scholars from Ukraine whose lives are being affected by Russia’s invasion. 

General information and social services 

In Toronto: Canada Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society: For questions regarding helping Ukrainians, call the main office at 416-767-4595 or 416-225-0511 North York Office or email at contact@cuias.org 

In Toronto: Ukrainian Canadian Social Services (Toronto) Inc. (ucsst.ca)

If you are new to Ontario, you can find answers to common questions in Ukrainian on this website: Translated Information (Українська – Ukrainian) (settlement.org) 

Published by Olha Senyshyn, Immigration lawyer in Toronto, UCPBA VP-Operations. This article was prepared with contributions from Thomas Law, J.D. candidate 2023, University of Ottawa

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Legal Information Sessions  

A series of webinars and Q&A sessions have been put together by Canadian lawyers and legal practitioners to support Ukrainians in Canada and abroad, who need immediate legal information.
The sessions are held each Thursday of April from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm EST via Zoom.

These virtual sessions are free and open to public. The information is provided in English and Ukrainian.

Topics to be covered:

Thursday, April 7 (6 – 7 PM EST) – work permit applications for Ukrainians inside and outside Canada;

Thursday, April 14 (6 – 7 PM EST) – CUAET program FAQ;

Thursday, April 21 (6 – 7 PM EST) – Study permits and educational programs for students;

Thursday, April 28 (6 – 7 PM EST) – H&C Applications

Register in advance to receive a Zoom link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5QHtDvypTSKJBMMCjQ9J0g