A CBA pro bono initiative for Ukrainians
The Immigration Law Section builds on a similar program to help people affected by the crisis in Afghanistan.
Lawyers in the CBA Immigration Law Section are spearheading an initiative to provide services, without charge, to individuals affected by the crisis in Ukraine who wish to come to Canada. The federal government unveiled two programs last week to make it easier for Ukrainian refugees to seek safety in Canada.
“The Canadian Bar Association is deeply troubled about Russia’s attack on the territorial sovereignty of Ukraine, which is a serious breach of peremptory norms of international law and the laws of Ukraine,” said CBA President Stephen Rotstein. “We welcome the government’s intention to prioritize immigration applications for Ukrainians and we want to do our part to help.”
ccording to the United Nations, more than 1.5 million people have already fled Ukraine due to the hostilities in the country.
Fourteen CBA volunteer lawyers will be offering their services that include legal consultations and advice for those seeking to take advantage of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s facilitative initiatives and programs.
Since 2005, the Immigration Law Section has offered pro bono services in times of natural or political disaster. In September 2021, the Section launched the CBA Afghanistan pro bono initiative whereby 11 lawyers provided services to individuals affected by the crisis in Afghanistan.
“I want to praise the work done by the Immigration Law Section,” said Rotstein. “In times of crisis, they are always ready to offer their knowledge and skill to provide legal services at no cost to help welcome vulnerable individuals to Canada.”
