230 displaced Ukrainians arrive in Regina on charter flight from Poland
A plane carrying 230 Ukrainians fleeing the war in their home country, including 100 children, has landed in Regina.
It is the first charter flight to bring the displaced citizens to Saskatchewan.
“We hope this is the first of many, many flights to come,” pilot Enrique Pineyro, who donated the flight said.
The direct flight from Warsaw, Poland arrived around 7:30 p.m. local time after nine hours in the air. Humanitarian organizations Open Arms and Solidaire helped coordinate the flight.
Upwards of 700 bags, some dogs and cats, and a chinchilla were also on board, according to Regina Airport Authority CEO James Bogusz.
He called it a “massive operation” likely only seen once every 10 years.
However, Pineyro said the composition of passengers is what makes this humanitarian flight different than others.
“It’s very rare to see. It’s women, it’s children and it’s old people and they’ve left behind their sons, their husbands, their fathers,” Pineyro said.
The passengers were expected to clear customs within three to four hours before being chartered to the University of Regina where they will stay until they find permanent accommodations.
Some will stay in the city, but others are expected to find homes in smaller communities across the province, according to the government.
Terry Dennis, MLA and legislative secretary of Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relations, said the hope is many will find housing through host families, church group sponsorships and, in some cases, Saskatchewan Housing Authority vacancies.
The provincial government has created a settlement reception centre to help set up bank accounts and issue health cards to the Ukrainian citizens.
Regina’s mayor, Sandra Masters, said the city is doing its part in offering support, including information on job opportunities, along with public transit and leisure passes.
She said she wants the Ukrainian citizens to know they are welcome in the city and the province.
“People have an incredible spirit of generosity and sometimes that’s not necessarily financial, but of their time and of their caring and sharing their lives and opening up their lives to make them feel welcome and to enjoy the experience while they’re here,” Masters said.
Saskatchewan has committed more than $300,000 toward the resettlement effort.
With this flight, more than 1,000 displaced Ukrainians have come to Saskatchewan since the conflict began. Government officials expect that number to grow.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Train derailed in Sarnia after colliding with a truck
Police are investigating after a transport truck collided with a train in Sarnia.
Fewer medical students going into family medicine contributing to doctor shortage
As some family doctors are retiring and others are moving away from family medicine, there are fewer medical students to take their place.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.