Ukrainian Refugees in Canada
Canada has a long history of welcoming refugees from around the world, including those fleeing conflict and persecution. The country has a well-established refugee resettlement program designed to provide a safe haven for individuals and families in need. This article will delve into the case of Ukrainian refugees in the country and Canada’s efforts to cater to these special circumstances.
Ukrainians in Canada
Canada currently hosts the largest Ukrainian diaspora outside Ukraine itself or Russia. According to the 2016 Census, about 1.36 million people, or approximately 4% of the Canadian population, reported at least one of their ethnic origins as Ukrainian.
History of Ukrainians in Canada
Ukrainians have been welcomed to Canada in large numbers even before the most recent Russian Invasion. According to an article from Statistics Canada, the first Ukrainians arrived in Canada in 1891, with 150,000 estimated to have landed between 1891 and 1914, settling the regions around Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, where they could obtain farmland or towns across Canada with available industrial occupations.
After the First World War, Canada witnessed the next wave of Ukrainian arrivals when Ukraine became part of the Soviet Union. At the end of the Second World War, a third wave of Ukrainians arrived in Canada primarily as refugees, totaling approximately 30,000 by 1952.
The next wave came after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, with almost 112,000 immigrants arriving this way by 2016, with another 14,000 arriving between 2017 and 2021.
The Russian Invasion and its effect on Ukrainian immigration
The most recent Russian Invasion of Ukraine has displaced more than a million Ukrainians. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) placed the number of Ukrainian refugees recorded globally at 6,319,700 according to data from 28 November 2023.
Canada’s current policy towards Ukrainian immigration
Canada’s IRCC has introduced new measures to help Ukrainians fleeing. Their programs actively aid refugees fleeing the war to settle temporarily or permanently in Canada. We’ll look into two of the most famous ones, the CUAET program and the pathway to Permanent residency for Ukrainian Nationals.
What is the CUAET Program
The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program is a specialized initiative that addresses the urgent travel needs of individuals from Ukraine. The program provides a framework for expedited processing and temporary relocation of eligible individuals to Canada.
It allows Ukrainians and their families to stay for extended periods of up to three years while enabling them to work, study and stay in Canada until they can safely return home. The program accepts all Ukrainian nationals and their Family members of any nationality.
The Permanent Residence program for Ukrainian nationals
The IRCC has also initiated a temporary policy that will allow families affected by the Russian Invasion to reunite in Canada. To be eligible for permanent residency under this route, Ukrainian applicants must have family who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Alternatively, the applicant can also be the spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian national who has family in Canada.
The complete eligibility requirements are available on the IRCC’s website.
Conclusion
The efforts of organizations—small or big—cannot be discounted in this joint effort. At the ground level, local communities and volunteers in Canada play a crucial role in assisting refugees by helping newcomers integrate into Canadian society through cultural orientation, social activities, and assistance with various bureaucratic processes. Each of us can play a part in this effort.
