FOG BLOG NEW BRUNSWICK LOG: NEW BRUNSWICK WELCOMES 170 UKRAINIAN NEW COMERS TO THE PROVINCE!

Tears, laughter and lots of hugs as 170 Ukrainians arrive in New Brunswick Newcomers fleeing war meet with hosts, begin new journey in province Natalia Haidash's excitement was palpable Tuesday morning.

It was the day the 170 Ukrainians, including two members of her own family, were scheduled to arrive in New Brunswick, fleeing the ongoing war in their homeland.

"I was half crying and half laughing," said Haidash, of the Ukrainian Association of Moncton.

"I'm just so overwhelmed with everything." The flight touched down in Moncton shortly after 4 p.m..

The Ukrainians were greeted on the tarmac of the Greater Moncton International Airport by representatives from the New Brunswick government, including Premier Blaine Higgs, Lt.-Gov. Brenda Murphy, and Arlene Dunn, the minister responsible for immigration and for Opportunities New Brunswick.

It was a hectic scene inside the terminal, where the newcomers first met the hosts who will help house and settle them in their new country. Representatives from Opportunities New Brunswick handed out information packages about the province to the adults and goodie bags with colouring books, crayons and snacks to the kids.

Higgs said it's a big day not only for the newcomers who are fleeing the war in Ukraine, but for the province as well.

"We're happy that we can do our part, and we're happy to see 170 people arrive today," said Higgs.