(Ottawa) As the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine approaches, Ukrainians displaced by the war and seeking to make Canada their permanent home have few answers about what the government will do to allow them to stay.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began two years ago on February 24, caused a massive refugee crisis as millions of Ukrainians fled the country.
Since then, the federal government has granted 958,190 temporary emergency visas to Ukrainians so that they can work or study in Canada while waiting for the end of the war.
As of January 27, 221,231 people had already traveled to Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he recently met with one of these families in Winnipeg, and spoke with them about how their members are establishing themselves in Canada and their long-term prospects at home.
“Their second son really had difficulties here in Canada, but the eldest son made a wonderful group of friends,” said Mr. Trudeau during a press conference Tuesday in Vancouver.
The government “focused on ending this war”
When asked whether Ottawa is making long-term arrangements for people based in Canada, Mr. Trudeau responded that his Liberal government is “focused on ending this war.”
PHOTO CARLOS OSORIO, REUTERS ARCHIVES
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
“We are here for the people of Ukraine. We were there to welcome people across the country, and we will continue to support them. We all understand that we want this war to end as quickly as possible, but in the meantime, we will continue to be there to support Ukraine and the Ukrainians against the illegal and barbaric invasion of Vladimir Putin,” argued the Prime Minister.
Among recent arrivals, 92% plan to stay and apply for permanent residency, according to a survey of emergency visa holders carried out late last year by Ukraine Safe Haven and the Federal Ministry of Immigration.
Only 1.4% of respondents said they were considering returning to Ukraine.
Without a designated program, many people will not qualify for regular immigration streams, said Randall Baran-Chong, founder of Pathfinder for Ukraine, a group that has helped war-displaced Ukrainians navigate the system. immigration to Canada since the Russian invasion.
Some people applied as refugees and for humanitarian reasons – criteria that are not designed to accommodate such a large group of people already in Canada, Mr. Baran-Chong explained.
Many Ukrainians are currently in a very difficult situation. We want to offer them a dignified path to permanent residency, rather than these programs that suit other circumstances.
Randall Baran-Chong, founder of “Pathfinder for Ukraine”
Mr. Baran-Chong’s organization launched a petition calling for a designated program to provide permanent residency to war-displaced Ukrainians in Canada, and asked Liberal MP Ali Ehsassi, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Commons, to table it in the House.
Once this happens, the government must respond within 45 days.
“We believe this petition will give Ukrainians the opportunity to hear the government’s official response regarding a specific pathway to permanent residency,” he said.
A national hotline available
The government allows people on emergency visas to apply for an extension and has also created a program that offers permanent status in Canada to people with Canadian family members.
Meanwhile, the government plans to spend more than $475,000 to expand a legal hotline for war-displaced Ukrainians in Canada to help them understand their rights and navigate the legal system. ‘immigration.
“This substantial contribution connects Ukrainians seeking refuge in Canada with lawyers who can help them with issues such as sponsorship, refugee status applications and work permit issues,” the minister said on Tuesday. of Justice, Arif Virani.
PHOTO PATRICK DOYLE, REUTERS ARCHIVES
Federal Minister of Justice Arif Virani
The helpline, operated by Pro Bono Ontario, answers questions related to work permits, employment contracts and even landlord and tenant concerns. The new funding will allow Ontario’s helpline to serve Ukrainians across the country.
However, the questions she answers increasingly focus on immigration and options for staying in Canada.
Emergency visas were always intended to provide temporary refuge for people who might be returning home, Mr. Virani said.
“If some people decide to study, to stay, maybe to meet a new partner, to carve out a life here, those options are obviously available, and we will find a way to make that happen.” »