230 more displaced Ukrainians land in Saskatchewan

The fifth humanitarian flight bringing displaced Ukrainians to Saskatchewan landed at Regina International Airport on Monday.

The aircraft carrying 230 people flew nine hours from Poland to the Queen City.

Four out of the five humanitarian flights landed in Regina, with the fifth landing in Saskatoon.

Jeremy Harrison, Saskatchewan’s minister of immigration and career training, said seeing the Ukrainians get off the plane was a moving thing.

“To see folks who are getting off an aircraft after having gone through what are horrific circumstances (and) to bring them here really brings home in a lot of ways how fortunate we are to live here in Saskatchewan,” he said.

According to Harrison, it also underlines the generosity of people in the province.

“In a lot of ways it speaks to the character of the people of this province, how open and welcoming that they have been,” he said.

Harrison added that with this flight, nearly 4,000 Ukrainians will have arrived in the province since Russia invaded their home country in February of 2022.

Harrison said the aircraft used for the flight was donated specifically for the humanitarian effort.

“It really kind of worked through the embassy, making the connection with Solidaire and Open Arms that we were able to arrange for these five flights to land here in Saskatchewan,” he said. “I’m very grateful to both of those organizations for donating … millions of dollars of time and effort.”

Now that more displaced Ukrainians have arrived, the province will be hosting job fairs, it’ll be helping them get their driver’s licence and it’ll be making sure everyone gets a bank account opened up.

“We’re going to be making sure that we’re walking with these folks in lockstep to make it as easy as can be,” Harrison said.

The five flights were part of a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Premier Scott Moe and representatives from Solidaire and Open Arms.

Harrison explained he would like to see more people from Ukraine come to the province.

On Tuesday, Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medals will be given to representatives of Solidaire and Open Arms at the Legislative Building.