News Release

20 July 2023 Unceded Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories / Burnaby, B.C. – Scotiabank has pledged $100,000 to help support the immediate needs of displaced Ukrainians upon their arrival in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel measures (CUAET). The funding reflects Scotiabank’s continuing support of humanitarian and resettlement efforts through ScotiaRISE. ScotiaRISE funds programs that help newcomers by easing transitions and access to employment as they resettle in Canada.

The community investment will be distributed across Canada through the Canadian humanitarian response program, Operation Ukrainian Safe Haven-Operation Havre de Paix pour les Ukrainiens (OUSH-OHPU). Created in 2022 by the Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC (AMSSA) in partnership with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), OUSH-OHPU operates a national secretariat of over 100 partners to support Ukrainians across Canada who are fleeing the war in Europe.

“We are thrilled to partner with The Bank of Nova Scotia on this critical humanitarian initiative,” said Katie Crocker, AMSSA CEO. “This timely contribution will help us address some of the immediate needs of displaced Ukrainians through our network of settlement agencies nationwide, ensuring they receive the essential resources and assistance required to rebuild their lives in Canada. This collaboration is a testament to Scotiabank’s commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those affected by the crises of war and violence, thus upholding values dear to all Canadians”.

This donation will enable OUSH-OHPU to collaborate with settlement service providers across Canada to support Ukrainian individuals and families with immediate needs such as food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare while finding safety in their new communities.

“We are pleased to provide funding to assist with some of these vital needs, helping to support the transition and resettlement of displaced Ukrainians,” said Maria Saros, Vice President and Global Head, Social Impact at Scotiabank. “Through ScotiaRISE we are proud to work with AMSSA as they ease the transition for newly arrived people and provide the essential services needed to achieve social and financial success.” ScotiaRISE is Scotiabank’s 10-year, $500 million commitment to help people be economically resilient, help them adapt to change, overcome barriers and fully participate in the economy.

Canada has also created the Canadian Industry for Ukraine donation portal, where Canadian businesses can make contributions and get updates on a wish list of priority items required for Ukrainian settlement efforts.

For interviews, please contact:
Anaïs Bénard (she/her)
Communications Manager, AMSSA
abenard@amssa.org |

Quick Facts:

• To date, more than $1,600,000 in donations from businesses and individuals have been received and distributed by OUSH-OHPU to 193 service provider organizations, supporting approximately 19,416 displaced Ukrainians in Canada.
• 166,849 Ukrainians have arrived in Canada under CUAET between March 17, 2022, and July 1, 2023. In the same period, The IRCC received 1,100,403 applications under the program, with 793,804 being approved.

Learn More:

• For the latest data and updates on available supports for displaced Ukrainians, visit the official OUSH-OHPU website
• Visit the IRCC website for the latest statistics on Ukrainian arrivals by land and air.

About AMSSA:
AMSSA is a province-wide association that strengthens over 80 member agencies and hundreds of community stakeholder agencies serving immigrants and newcomers in British Columbia. With a focus on co-creating the conditions for success, AMSSA provides its members with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to fulfill their mandates.

About Scotiabank:
Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our purpose: “for every future”, we help our customers, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products, and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of over 90,000 employees and assets of over $1.3 trillion (as of April 30, 2023), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit http://www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @Scotiabank.

About Operation Ukrainian Safe Haven-Opération havre de paix pour les Ukrainiens (OUSH-OHPU):
Created by AMSSA in 2022 in partnership with IRCC, OUSH-OHPU operates the national secretariat of more than 100 partners to support Ukrainians across Canada who are fleeing the war in Europe.