OKANAGAN VALLEY, B.C. — The Fairfield by Marriott will be hiring 10 Ukrainian refugees at both the Vernon and Salmon Arm locations in B.C. The hotels will also help them with accommodation and other needs.
Ukrainians will be able to work in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET). With CUAET, refugees will be able to stay and work in Canada for up to three years.
“We’re prepared to welcome Ukrainians with open arms,” says Ashley Olsen, GM, Fairfield by Marriott. “Marriott has a long history of working with organizations around the world in support of refugees, and our locations in the Interior will fully back these efforts. The tourism industry in the region has faced a staffing shortage for many years, and the peak summer season is just around the corner. With restrictions lifted, we’re already forecasting a record year of tourists travelling to the area. We recognize there is significant pressure on the availability of housing for local residents, so we are offering housing within our hotels for these individuals.”