War in Ukraine | And the bureaucracy? Mess !

Since the outbreak of hostilities, the Trudeau government has spoken with one voice. His ministers expressed firmly where they stood in the face of Vladimir Putin’s Russia. On the side of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. The intimate knowledge of this country by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has something to do with it, of course. But his will is shared by his colleagues as well as by the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, who is finishing a tour of some European countries these days.

The message is clear: Canada’s doors are wide open to Ukrainians.

Last week, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced two new measures to speed up the reception of potential refugees from the beleaguered country: an unconditional two-year temporary visa that allows them to work or study in Canada and to initiate an application for permanent residence if the person so wishes. And a second measure aimed at offering the sponsorship program to the extended family, that is to say uncles, aunts, etc. Canada also grants a special exemption to Ukrainians partially or not vaccinated at all.

Remember that the Ukrainian diaspora is made up of approximately 1.3 million Canadians scattered across the country, but more numerous in the West. At this time, Ottawa is unable to estimate the number of Ukrainian nationals who may choose to settle in Canada, but an estimated 6,200 have done so since January. And we understand that for the moment, the majority probably prefers to stay in Europe in the hope that the conflict will be settled quickly.

Quebec Labor, Employment and Social Solidarity Minister Jean Boulet said Monday that Quebec is ready to welcome any Ukrainians who wish to settle here. The Union of Municipalities reiterated its solidarity. The Mayor of Longueuil, Catherine Fournier, has even identified the arena that could accommodate refugees in her city. In short, there are almost more people ready to welcome Ukrainians at the moment than there are Ukrainians ready to take refuge in Canada.

Faced with this incredible welcome, we can only rejoice…. But first, a question arises: why does the bureaucracy not follow in the footsteps of politics?

For the past few days, criticism has been coming from all sides: forms that are incomprehensible or difficult to fill out, offices open from 9 to 5 exclusively, lack of answers, incredible delays given the situation. It’s as if the will at the top of the pyramid is incapable of reaching the bottom of the pyramid, on the ground.

This is a serious problem on which the government should concentrate its energies. What’s the use of opening your arms if it’s behind a closed door?

At the Department of Immigration, we are told that they have sent additional equipment to Europe to help with the production of documents such as taking fingerprints, etc. We are also told that the service offer will be adjusted as needed.

But the need is now. The war is taking place now.

Last Sunday, on the show Everybody talks about it, Ukrainian-Canadian hockey player Eliezer Sherbatov recounted his experience with Canadian consular services when he was stuck in Mariupol under bombardment. The young man received two automated emails advising him to hide in a bomb shelter. He was finally able to escape and return to the country thanks to the help of the Israeli government. In its Tuesday edition, The duty told the story of another Canadian whose wife had been waiting for a visa for two weeks. It’s a long two weeks when your country is at war and you’re a refugee in Hungary, waiting to join part of your family in Montreal.

How come the consular offices are not open 24 hours a day, seven days a week until the end of the conflict? With a reassuring voice on the other end of the line to guide people through the process? Canada must be able to support Ukrainians in Europe and it must also support Canadian families who wish to sponsor a loved one. For now, there are still too big stones in the gears. When a city is bombed and you fear for the safety of a family member, you don’t want to be told to call back the next day or to take a university course to fill out a form.

As we can see, our government knows how to show humanity. But the machine must also show humanity. She must be agile, flexible. And to get there, clear orders must come from above. And there must be someone accountable. It is the bureaucracy that must bend to the needs of citizens, not the other way around.