Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question and for raising the important issue, senator. I’m not in a position to answer the specific question. But I would say, as the minister said, that the government is committed to securing and providing a safe haven for those fleeing Ukraine from Russia’s large-scale invasion. Since January, colleagues, more than 17,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Canada. I’m advised that the government launched a new Canada-Ukraine emergency travel authorization, which aims to make it easier, faster and safer for Ukrainians to come to Canada. Over 72,000 applications have been approved under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel.

The government is working and continues to work with partners that include provinces and territories, the business community, the Ukrainian-Canadian community and settlement organizations on how best to support those arriving from Ukraine, and the government is committed to continue to closely monitor travel volumes and needs and to take appropriate action.