Ukrainian Canadian Congress ‘disappointed’ as funding for settlement services cut

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Saskatchewan says provincial funding that helps provide settlement services to displaced Ukrainians coming to the province has ended.

In a statement, the organization said the provincial funding was no longer available as of Thursday. The group said the decision was communicated to the UCC after the Government of Saskatchewan released its spring budget, but the government didn’t specify a date.

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“Although the number of arrivals to Saskatchewan has declined over the past year, this decision was a surprise,” Elena Krueger, president of UCC Saskatchewan said in the statement.

She added that UCC Saskatchewan had been delivering settlement services to Ukrainians for the past three years.

“It is, however, disappointing that, at a time when Russia continues to bomb Ukraine on a daily basis and Ukrainian men, women and children are being killed, the funding for needed settlement supports for those who have fled the war is being cut,” the UCC added.

The issue spilled into the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly during question period on Thursday when Keith Jorgenson, NDP MLA for Saskatoon Churchill-Wildwood, questioned the Saskatchewan Party about the decision, saying six UCC employees were laid off as a result of the funding cut.

“It is cold, and it is callous. Why would the government cut funding for victims of war who fled to Saskatchewan for safety?” Jorgenson asked.

Jim Reiter, Saskatchewan’s finance minister, said the accusation was “ridiculous.”

“This government has put immense supports in for our friends from Ukraine who (have) been affected by this tragic war,” Reiter said.

Alana Ross, Saskatchewan’s minister for parks, culture and sport, said the provincial government invested $13 million in settlement supports in 2024/2025, along with providing health-care coverage, access to Saskatchewan Income Support and disability programs, child benefits and driver’s licence exchanges.

The UCC statement said the funding cut creates more barriers for newcomers hoping to gain permanent residency status, but noted that displaced Ukrainians who need help with employment can continue to contact the organization for support.

About 8,000 displaced Ukrainians have arrived in Saskatchewan since the start of the war.

650 CKOM has reached out to UCC Saskatchewan for additional comment.