Canada's Commitment to Ukrainian Refugees

"We are waiting to hear what the government decides will be the new, July 15 and onward parameters for Ukrainians to come to Canada."

"Even though there's a very large number of people who have applied -- over a million people have applied thus far -- there's still potentially some that haven't or whose situation may change and might need a temporary refuge."

"Our view is that there should be open work permits for anybody who continues to apply to come to Canada, as well as some supports in terms of services and language."

"Nobody knows how long the war will go and how long people will be watching this situation to see if they can go home or not."

"Were looking forward to clarity, because that will help people make choices and decisions."

Ihor Michalchyshyn, executive director, Ukrainian Canadian Congress 

"[The Immigration Department is] continuing to assess how our immigration programs can best support Ukrainian nationals, now and in the future, including potential new pathways to permanent residence."

"[In the interim, there are] a number of existing pathways that support transitions from temporary to permanent residence."

Isabelle Dubois, spokesperson, Canada Immigration

A soldier is seen controlling a drone for surveillance in the basement at an undisclosed position in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. Alex Chan Tsz Yuk/SOPA Images/Sipa USA/AP

 

Over a million Ukrainians have applied and more than 800,000 visas have been approved though only some 21 percent of visa holders have arrived in Canada. Those who have already been granted visas will still be able to come to Canada until the end of March 2024. Applications for temporary emergency visas offered to Ukrainians are expected to close in the near future, with no official decision yet announced whether Canada is prepared to offer long-term refuge for Ukrainians fleeing Russian occupation in their country.

The emergency visa was launched in the wake of the February 2022 Russian invasion, leading millions of people to flee the conflict in their homeland. Available to an unlimited number of Ukrainians, the visa allows those who arrive in Canada to work and study for three years on a temporary basis until their future plans have solidified. Those who have arrived in Canada with the use of the emergency visas are considered temporary residents, without refugee status.

The application process was extended in March, but the extension period came to an end on the weekend of July 15. Settlement services reserved for refugees and other permanent residents to Canada were extended to Ukrainians as a reflection of their unusual conflict-driven circumstances. Canada's Immigration Minister suggested a month earlier that Ukrainians could make application through traditional immigration streams during the period the government takes to consider its long-term plan.

 

Canada, Japan, the U.S. and other NATO countries pledged weapons and training as part of security guarantees to Ukraine. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says it is meant to send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that Canada supports Ukraine and will continue to do so. Still from video

 

Over 6.3 million Ukrainian refugees were recorded by the United Nations Refugee Agency. Over five million have been estimated as displaced within Ukraine itself. One of the five permanent United Nations Security member-nations is itself responsible for an unwarranted invasion of a neighbouring country, and in the process of planning to absorb its territory into the greater Russian Federation, has committed a litany of egregious war crimes against the civilian population. Rather emphasizing the dormant status of the UN as a world community dedicated to peace.

A long-awaited government plan to offer permanent residency to Ukrainians with family ties to Canada promised over a year ago, has never been acted on. Canada has a large expatriate Ukrainian community of Ukrainian-Canadians who are themselves fully engaged in raising funds to support the citizens of Ukraine who have been forced from their homes, supplying them with food, medicine, fuel, and other emergency necessities, along with non-lethal military-grade aid to the Ukrainian military. The 1.4 Ukrainian-Canadians make up a sizeable voting bloc the Liberal government would do well not to disappoint.

Ukrainian nationals fleeing the ongoing war in Ukraine arrive at Trudeau Airport in Montreal on May 29, 2022. A new immigration pathway being launched by the federal government opens up permanent residency to Ukrainians living in Canada with one or more family members. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

"We're hoping and waiting and we're overdue to hear from the federal government about a family reunification pathway."

"That's something we are eager to hear more about, because there have been people bringing their parents and siblings over."

"The sooner that Ukraine wins the war, the sooner peace and normality can resume and this massive refugee crisis will come to an end."

Ihor Michalchyshyn, Ukrainian Canadian Congress

A Ukrainian serviceman fires toward Russian troops at a position near the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region of Ukraine on July 5.  Sofiia Gatilova/Reuters