For one Ukrainian household in Winnipeg, staying in Canada is a should.
Oleksandra and Roman Borys have been in nation for two-and-a-half years, and and are nonetheless ready to search out out if their household qualifies for the provincial nominee program.
The household got here to Winnipeg from Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and Oleksandra stated the distinction couldn’t be extra stark.
“It is really unsafe there right now because Russia shells Ukraine every day,” she stated. “Each single day. Daily somebody dies (there), It’s like a lottery — you by no means know whether or not you may be the subsequent one.
“You feel nice (in Winnipeg), with all these friendly people. You feel respected and cared for by people.”
The household utilized for the provincial nominee program two years in the past, however their software remains to be in limbo. Lots of their buddies, who utilized across the identical time, have been permitted.
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The couple have two daughters, 9 and 18, and the youngest, Yuliana, has particular wants and makes use of a wheelchair. Oleksandra stated the schooling system on this nation has been a revelation and one of many major causes they’re hoping to stay in Canada.
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“The most important thing that she can get some education here in Canada, and she had never (had) this choice in Ukraine,” she stated.
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Roman added the roots the household has put down listed here are too robust to go away, even when the warfare had been to finish. He feels their daughter is extra supported and accepted than she ever was again in Ukraine.
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“When we came to Canada, I see that all doors, you can open with a button. So if you’re in a wheelchair, you can open any door. It’s open for anyone who is in a wheelchair,” stated Roman. “You don’t have that in Ukraine.”
An announcement from immigration minister Malaya Marcelino calls the scenario regarding, and says she’s directed her workers to look into prolonged delays “which appear to be an outlier beyond standard processing times.” The province says they intention to course of functions inside months, but it surely typically takes longer.
Cuts to the Provincial Nominee Program may imply challenges forward for potential immigrants to Manitoba, in addition to sure labour markets, a Winnipeg immigration lawyer says.
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“There’s no easy solution to this,” Alastair Clarke of Clarke Immigration Regulation advised World Winnipeg.
“Within our work, a lot of what we do is try to manage people’s expectations and try to deal with high levels of anxiety and depression. People are very frustrated.”
