Transition of Settlement Services for CUAET Holders

The recent updates from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) outline significant changes for Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) holders. Services will end by March 31, 2025. This transition will impact thousands of displaced Ukrainians and their dependents currently residing in Canada.

Key Policy Changes:

1. End of Settlement Services: CUAET holders will no longer have access to IRCC-funded settlement services after March 31, 2025, including employment-related services, language training, and community support. Transition plans must be developed to ensure clients are referred to non-IRCC-funded services before this date.
2. Urgent Needs and Prioritized Referrals: Settlement agencies are expected to prioritize urgent needs between January and March 2025. Organizations must update client settlement plans and ensure that CUAET holders are referred to non-IRCC services where possible.
3. Transition Plans for Language Training and Case Management: Case management and language training services will also cease by March 31, 2025. Recipients are urged to inform clients about their ineligibility for these services by this deadline and refer them to alternative programs, including provincial or online language programs.

Impact on Displaced Ukrainians:

• Uncertainty in Service Continuity: The ending of settlement services could leave many Ukrainian nationals in precarious situations, particularly for those who rely on essential services such as employment support and language training. As of March 2024, over 286,700 Ukrainians have entered Canada, and many are likely to need ongoing support beyond the settlement services end date.
• Pressure on Non-IRCC Services: The transition to non-IRCC-funded services places additional pressure on local and provincial programs, which may struggle to meet the growing demand, especially in areas like housing and mental health support.

Recommendations:

1. Early Communication and Transition Planning: Service providers should begin communicating with their CUAET clients immediately, ensuring they understand the upcoming changes. Agencies should develop clear referral pathways to non-IRCC-funded services, particularly in high-demand areas such as language training and employment support.
2. Collaboration with Provincial Programs: Given the end of federal support, organizations should collaborate with provincial governments to expand access to essential services. This may include advocating for increased funding or resources to support the influx of clients transitioning from IRCC programs.
3. Focus on Long-term Solutions: While the immediate focus will be on addressing urgent needs, agencies should work with displaced Ukrainians to develop long-term solutions, including pathways to permanent residency. Canada has offered a permanent residency pathway for qualifying Ukrainians, which should be leveraged to ensure stability for those seeking to remain in Canada.