Canada’s treatment of Ukrainians fleeing war has been distinctly different to those fleeing other humanitarian crises, the House of Commons immigration committee said Wednesday, and MPs want that to change. The committee voted Tuesday to issue a public statement, urging the government to provide the same special immigration measures it extended to Ukrainians to refugees from other regions. The statement reads that “time is of the essence,” and said the committee calls on the immigration minister to ensure Canada’s response to humanitarian crises in other regions “are treated with the same vigor as Ukraine.” Canada has expedited immigration applications from Ukraine and created an extraordinary program to allow Ukrainian citizens and their families to come to Canada and work or study for three years while they decide their next steps. 3/9/2022 0 Comments Quebec's Immigration Minister Has Stated That the Province Is Prepared to Accept Ukrainian RefugeesJean Boulet, Quebec's immigration minister, says the province is prepared to accept Ukrainian migrants.
"Quebec has a great deal of empathy for the people of Ukraine," Boulet said on Monday. "We want to let them know that Canada and Quebec are welcoming places, and we will do everything we can to ensure that they have a successful stay in Quebec." However, he stated that he had no idea how many people would attend or when they will arrive. "We recognize the magnitude of the issue and will ensure that we have the capacity to welcome and integrate them as much as possible," Boulet said. At a news conference on Monday, Boulet discussed a prospective flood of Ukrainian refugees while announcing a $5 million investment in Montreal-based community organizations that help immigrants and refugees assimilate into the city. Some of these organizations have stated that they are preparing to accommodate Ukrainian refugees, but that they do not expect a big number. "Most refugees will likely travel to other European countries before arriving in Canada," said Jean-François Veilleux, a spokesman for the Table de concertation des organisms au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes (TCRI). A total of $59.2 billion financial loss and a 53 percent decrease in contribution to GDP has been caused by the Coronavirus pandemic to Canada’s travel and tourism sector last year.
In addition, the devastating situation provoked by the COVID-19 left 373,000 people engaged in the country’s travel and tourism sector jobless, facing many difficulties. According to WTTC’s Senior Vice President, Virginia Messina, such losses revealed by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) ’s Economic Impact Report (EIR) have left “huge numbers of people fearing for the future”. Based on EIR’s report, in 2019, Canada’s travel and tourism sector contribution to GDP was $111.6 billion or 6.4 percent, while just 12 months later, it marked a 3.2 percent decrease to $52.4 billion. In addition, the number of women, youth, and minorities employed in the travel and tourism sector in the North American country declined from 1.8 million in 2019 to 1.4 million in 2020, or (20.9 percent decrease). Domestic visitor spending decreased by 51 percent last year. In comparison, international spending dropped by 71.1 percent due to stringent travel restrictions imposed to prevent the virus’s further spread. Even though the decrease in the travel and tourism sector was profound last year, the figures could have been worse if not for the government’s Emergency Wage Subsidy scheme, which helped employers keep their jobs amid the COVID-19 situation, EIR’s report stressed. “However, the situation could have been far worse if it were not for the government’s Emergency Wage Subsidy scheme which supported up to 75 percent of wage subsidy to eligible employers and in turn, allowed many to keep their jobs in the suffering Travel & Tourism sector,” WTTC’s Senior Vice President pointed out. Read more details about this news here. If you are suffering financially due to the bad economy, you might be tempted to nix your travel plans this year. This article is full of great ideas for traveling on a budget.
Don't exchange all your cash for the currency of the place you're in. Use an ATM and withdraw pocket money. Banks usually have better exchange rates that are significantly better than those available to individuals. As a result, you will save money and have more to spend on other things. If traveling by air, it is important to think ahead of time. If an airport is in a major city, it can be quite difficult to get to, especially during rush hour when traffic is at its heaviest. Make sure to have your luggage packed and waiting on the night before you leave. Do not procrastinate preparing for your flight. Missing your flight will cost you precious time and money. Get educated about foreign food ingredients to prevent unintentional exposure to allergens. If you do have an allergy, you will need to have a good handle on the language of the country you are eating in. If you do this, you can avoid ordering anything that you may be allergic to, and if need be, alert medical professionals of any allergies. Before booking, do some research. Find websites that have reviews of the locations you plan to go. Ask people you know who have been there before. Doing your own research helps prepare you and allows you to select your activities once you arrive at your destination. Pack a door stopper to use when traveling. Sometimes, especially when traveling in less developed countries, it is desirable to have a little bit more security in your hotel room at night. Put the wedge in and then put on the deadbolt and chain for extra security. Throw a few clothespins into your suitcase. Although many people do not usually pack them, clothespins can be helpful. Be sure a loved one has access to the itinerary of your trip. This assures that someone will know how to contact you, if necessary. Keep in contact with them constantly to ensure safety. Hearing from you occasionally and knowing your whereabouts eases their minds. When booking a hotel reservation, ask if renovations will be underway on those dates. There are few things more annoying than waking to the sound of construction equipment while you are enjoying a vacation. Just don't book during those times. Become a member of forums and websites that revolve around travel. Discussing experiences with fellow travelers is an excellent way to get ready for a trip. You can meet friends, learn about great travel destinations, and find out where to avoid. Make your trip green by using eco-friendly services. You can find many hotels that use the go green philosophy, there you will find lighting that is energy efficient, recycling bins, reusable linens and other additional healthy environmental items. Staying green will help you feel good about your traveling experience. You don't have to forget about your vacation just because money is tight. Apply the advice from this article and you will be on your way to budget friendly travels in no time. |