The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) has appealed to the Canadian government to create a pathway to permanent residency for Ukrainians who arrived in the country under the temporary Canada–Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program.
According to representatives of the Congress, tens of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing the war have been living and working in Canada for over two years, actively integrating into communities, paying taxes, volunteering, and supporting the country's economy. However, many of them still do not have a clear path to permanent status, which creates uncertainty about the future.
“Ukrainians who have found refuge in Canada have become an important part of our society. They deserve stability and confidence in the future. Canada must give them the opportunity to stay here permanently,” said UCC President Paul Grod.
The UCC is proposing that the government develop a special permanent residence program for CUAET participants, similar to the mechanisms that were in place for Syrian or Afghan refugees. The Congress also emphasizes that creating such a pathway would be consistent with Canada's humanitarian principles and the country's commitment to supporting Ukraine.
According to the Canadian government:
- Since 2022, over 1.2 million CUAET visas have been issued.
- In fact, about 300,000 Ukrainians have arrived in the country.
- The program provides the right to temporary residence for up to 3 years, work, and access to basic social services.
However, the first permits are already expiring, and Ukrainian families are faced with the need to either leave the country or seek other migration routes. The UCC is calling on the government to allow them to stay legally in order to preserve communities that are already deeply integrated into Canadian society.
The Congress also called on Canadians and the Ukrainian diaspora to support this initiative by contacting their MPs and signing petitions calling for permanent status for Ukrainian migrants.
📅 Source: [UCC – Ukrainian Canadian Congress