Close to a thousand displaced Ukrainians have found safety on Vancouver Island since the Feb. 24, 2022, Russian invasion. More are coming.
The priest was leading the morning service at Victoria’s St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Ukrainian Catholic church, but had been up all night doomscrolling Ukrainian websites as Russian tanks rolled into his homeland.
Instead of arriving as refugees with sponsors and a support system in place, the newcomers came under a program that gave them what were effectively three-year work permits and little else. Some stepped off the plane with no one to greet them at all. Take Brian and Sharon Holowaychuk. When they bought East Sooke’s Grouse Nest, it was with the dream of resurrecting the historic property as a resort. For now, though, they have turned it into a home for Ukrainians, about 30 of whom live in the main lodge, sharing cooking and cleaning duties.
Much of the heavy lifting has been done by the Help Ukraine Vancouver Island umbrella group that emerged last spring to co-ordinate efforts, assisting the bewildered newcomers in finding their feet and linking them to host families who volunteered space in their homes. And there are always unexpected expenses. “If someone doesn’t have shoes, we’re buying them shoes” is the way McNamara puts it.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jack Knox: Border bother maroons water taxiThe owner of a cross-border water taxi service has been told that under Canadian rules, his boat must come and go from a ferry terminal — not exactly an ideal fit for a 23-foot vessel on no fixed schedule
Read more »
Paul Workman: How war has changed Ukraine, and Ukrainians, one year laterCTV National News Chief International Correspondent Paul Workman shares his memories of Ukraine early into Russia's invasion and compares them to the reality of present day on CTVNews.ca
Read more »
The battle to heal the hearts and minds of Ukrainians traumatized by warAt a hospital in Lviv, Dr. Oleh Berezyuk is leading a team of psychologists and psychotherapists trying to heal the hearts and minds of Ukrainians suffering from the toll of war that is entering its second deadly year.
Read more »
Evening Update: War’s anniversary rings hollow for Ukrainians who have felt under siege since 2014Also: Itamar Ben-Gvir brings fury from the right-wing fringes to Israel’s government; Ottawa working on Roxham Road solution
Read more »
Ukrainians continue to settle in Calgary almost one year after Russian invasionImmigration specialists say those fleeing the war in Ukraine are still arriving in Calgary in large numbers as they attempt to restart their lives.
Read more »
A year after the invasion, Kamloops has welcomed 200 UkrainiansOn average, about four people arrive in the Kamloops area from Ukraine each week
Read more »