Ivan Baker’s push for a permanent residency pathway for Ukrainians in Canada
Ivan Baker, chair of the Canada-Ukraine friendship group in the Canadian Parliament, is stepping up efforts to create a dedicated permanent residency pathway for Ukrainians currently in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program. Baker points out that some Ukrainians have been living in Canada for nearly four years but remain unable to secure permanent residency under existing channels.
Baker has held multiple meetings with Canada’s immigration minister to discuss the issue. He emphasizes that
“some of these Ukrainians have already lived in Canada for almost four years and in that time have become part of our communities, contributing to the economy”– Ivan Baker. Yet most of them cannot obtain permanent residency through current mechanisms, which Baker calls a major barrier to their progress.
“The current state of uncertainty is a loss not just for the Ukrainians here, but for Canada as well”– he says.
Petition and public support
In Parliament, Baker presented a petition that gathered nearly 50,000 signatures from Canadians backing the creation of a permanent residency mechanism. He notes that
“creating a pathway to permanent residency would help these Ukrainians improve their quality of life, better support their families, and make a greater contribution to Canada’s economy”– Ivan Baker. So far, no changes to immigration policy have been made. The CUAET program was announced in early March 2022, and new applications for the program closed two years ago. Since the program launched, roughly 300,000 Ukrainian asylum seekers have arrived in Canada.
Baker continues to work on the matter, arguing that it benefits both Canada and the people affected.
The situation of Ukrainian immigrants in Canada highlights the need for immigration systems that adapt to the needs of people forced to flee conflict zones. As Ukraine faces ongoing serious challenges, support from countries like Canada is especially critical. Baker’s proposal could represent a significant step toward providing stability and opportunity for the many Ukrainians hoping to build new lives in Canada.
As discussions around immigration policies continue, the recent decision by Canada to reduce its immigration intake by 20% raises important questions about the future of various residency pathways. The implications of this decision could further complicate the situation for Ukrainians seeking stability in Canada, making initiatives like permanent residency options even more crucial for those affected.