Canadian telephone companies waive fees for calls, texts to Ukraine

Telephone companies across Canada are waiving long-distance fees for calls and texts to Ukraine.

Earlier this week, Russia launched a full-scale invasion on Ukraine. Thousands have fled the country. Thousands are gathering across Canada as part of rallies for Ukraine. Roughly 4% of Canadians are of Ukrainian ancestry.

In social media statements, Bell Canada, Rogers Communications, Telus and Shaw Communications Inc. all announced they are waving long-distance fees until the end of March.

“To assist Canadians concerned about their loved ones in Ukraine, effective immediately, we will be waiving all home phone and consumer mobility postpaid long distance charges for calls from Canada to Ukraine until Mar 31, 2022,” according to Bell.

Telus is waiving all roaming charges for calls, text, and data overages for customers currently in Ukraine, as well as long-distance and SMS fees to Ukraine.

To support our customers connecting with loved ones in Ukraine, we are waiving all long-distance & SMS charges to Ukraine and roaming fees for Rogers customers currently in the country until the end of March.

— Rogers (@Rogers) February 24, 2022

Shaw is also waiving all International Long Distance and SMS fees for calls and texts to Ukraine until March 31, according to the company's Twitter page.

The war in Ukraine continues today, Feb. 26 as Russian troops close in around the country's capital Kyiv.

Rallies are also being held around the Thompson Okanagan this weekend to show support for Ukraine.

READ MORE: Russians push toward Ukraine’s capital; residents take cover

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