2 years since war began, how Ukrainians are building a home in Canada

Peter Schturyn counts himself lucky that family and friends in Ukraine are far from the worst of the fighting since Russia’s invasion of the country.

But he says that’s not the case for many of the Ukrainians who’ve come to Canada since then.

Saturday marks two years since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military invaded the neighbouring country in what Putin has called a “special military operation.”

A few weeks later, on March 17, 2022, Canada launched the Canada Ukraine Authorization of Emergency Travel (CUAET) for Ukrainians fleeing the war. Between then and Jan. 27, 2024, Canada welcomed 221,231 Ukrainians to live, work and study until it is safe for them to return home.

But Schturyn, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, said after two years of war, many Ukrainians may not have a home to return to.

“Their homes are no longer there. If your apartment building was blown up … what does that person do?” he said, adding few expected the war to go on as long as it has.

“That visa program will end at the end of March, so it’ll be next to impossible for anybody else trying to come into Canada under that program.”

He noted that even for those already here, learning to navigate Canada’s immigration system longer term is a challenge.

“I met a lady just this past weekend who said she’s already spent $10,000. She’s only been here a year and she’s spent over $10,000 in legal fees trying to go through the process to apply for residence,” he said.

“How do you make a plan if you have a family? The longer it goes, the more the people will be probably leaning towards staying.”

On Tuesday, Justice Minister Arif Virani announced funding of $475,788 for the Ukrainian Refugee Legal Relief Initiative run by the legal aid organization Pro