Displaced Ukrainians call on the Federal Government for an easier route to permanent residency

Ukrainians in Canada, who fled the war, are urgently seeking a streamlined pathway to permanent residency as current programs do not cater to their unique situation. In March 2022, Canada implemented the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel program (CUAET), temporarily allowing Ukrainians to reside in Canada. However, the program ended in March, leaving many Ukrainians without a way to stay. Economic immigration programs require fluency in English, being under 30, having a Canadian master’s degree, and at least one year of work experience in their field. This makes it difficult for many Ukrainians, who are refugees and not young, highly skilled workers. In October, Canada introduced a permanent residency program for Ukrainians with immediate family in Canada, but only 7% of Ukrainian newcomers qualify.