Eastlink Drops Long-Distance Fees To Ukraine

HALIFAX–The Halifax-based telecommunications company Eastlink is waiving all long-distance charges for phone calls made between Canada and Ukraine until the end of March. Free calling is available for customers using either home phones or mobile devices.

Eastlink says this lets people in Canada check in with family and friends in Ukraine affected by Russia’s invasion of the country, without worrying about the expense of a call. Ukrainian soldiers have been defending their homeland from the invading Russian forces since February 24.

Eastlink customers would normally pay $2.50 per minute to make a phone call to Ukraine.

“To help keep our customers connected to their loved ones in Ukraine, we’re automatically waiving home phone and mobility long distance fees from Canada to Ukraine effective immediately, until the end of March,” said Eastlink spokesperson Jill Laing.

The fee waiver comes at a time when governments, businesses, and organizations worldwide are punishing Russia economically for its invasion, while also looking for ways to support Ukraine.

Multiple telecommunication companies in North America are also waiving long-distance fees for calls to the country. Television and cable providers, meanwhile, are also cutting ties with “Russia Today,” the infamous state-sponsored news site that’s facing heat for broadcasting Russian propaganda.

Nova Scotia has also shown its support for Ukraine in other ways. Last week, Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation followed other provincial liquor corporations and removed Russian vodka from its shelves.

RELATED: NSLC Removing Russian Vodka From Shelves

Russia’s international isolation continued Monday, as FIFA announced Russia is banned from World Cup competition and other soccer events. The International Olympic Committee is also calling on sports’ governing bodies to ban Russian athletes.

On Monday, the International Ice Hockey Federation also suspended Russia and Belarus from international competition. Russia was supposed to host the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championship.

Derek Montague is a Huddle reporter in Halifax. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].