One year since Ukrainian refugees arrived in Canada, thousands still seeking support

Tuesday marks one year since the first government-funded charter flight of Ukrainian refugees arrived on Canadian soil, marking the beginning of Canada’s support for those fleeing their war-torn country. While Canada has helped many, thousands are still seeking support.

Since Ottawa began the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program in March of 2022, over one million Ukrainians have applied for temporary residency in Canada. More than 687,000 of those applications have been approved with around 170,000 Ukrainians arriving in the country.

“It’s been a very complicated year, trying to figure out how to help Ukrainians that were fleeing Ukraine,” explained Ihor Michalchyshyn, executive director of Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

Back in March, Ottawa extended the CUAET program to July 15, after it was set to expire on March 31.

Michalchyshyn with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress says it’s important that the federal government continues providing support for those fleeing Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“The more people adjust to life in Canada, the harder it will be to go back and as we know looking at the images, some people will not be able to go back home to their town, villages, or their city because things have been destroyed and life there is not going to be normal or easy,” said Michalchyshyn.

Manitoba has welcomed around 22,000 people from Ukraine, equating to around 14 per cent of those arriving in Canada. Nick Krawetz says many Ukrainians continue to land in Winnipeg every day, which has brought its fair share of challenges along the way.

“Finding housing, finding jobs, finding daycare for children, improving daycare for children, improving English is a major concern. That is a tremendous need at the moment, and we are trying to advocate for more support for that,” explained Nick Krawetz, a volunteer supporting Ukrainian refugees in Manitoba.

“This is historic of how much movement is happening to our country.”

Winnipeg’s Ukrainian National Federation Club has been helping Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in the city since the beginning of the invasion. Joanne Lewandowsky says they will continue providing support for as long as possible.

“We have done quite a bit of work, and we’ve done it all with volunteers. Everything around here, you will see volunteers working. They are helping people, they are giving them food, they are helping with whatever their needs are,” explained Lewandowsky.

Krawetz says none of this would be possible if it weren’t for the continuous support of both provincial and federal governments.

“Manitoba is still that beacon, and they are still leading the country in supporting Ukrainians for which I am personally very grateful for, and I know our community as well is very thankful.”