On the third anniversary of the War in Ukraine, the members of the Ukrainian community of Winnipeg reflect on the conflict that continues to progress and where they are in Canada while nervously watching the news from their home.
Ihor Shved, shepherd of the Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of the city. Volodymyr and Olga said that these questions arise regularly among their parishioners, most of which never expected a third year without resolution.
“We all know that war is not something that can plan to stop him tomorrow or in a month, but we had hope … and we don't want to believe that it will still be here next year,” Shved told Global Winnipeg. “But we are here … and we are grateful for those who fight there, as well as those who support our country worldwide.
For some Ukrainian families in Winnipeg, returning home is not as easy as it seems: they have established roots in the city and, after three years, their children have integrated into the Canadian culture.
“There are feelings of mixing (ed). It seemed different a year ago or two years ago, ”said Shved.
“Now, after three years here, especially for those who are with children and their children are growing in society … The English language, the Canadian culture, is not so easy. The number of those who are willing to return are less. ”
Despite that, he said, there are many Ukrainians in Canada who yearn to return home and are doing what they can return. However, many of these decisions depend on the official documentation, since many members of the community expect news about permanent residence requests while facing the imminent expiration of their three -year work permits.
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“We, as human beings, want stability,” he said. “We don't like living in feelings when you don't know what will happen tomorrow. There are concerns, stress … But people are trying.
“We are trying to give our people a message of hope.”
That message is something shared by the Canadian Congress of Ukraine (UCC), a non -profit national organization that acts as the voice of the Ukrainian community in Canada.
The executive director of the UCC, Ihor Michalchyshyn, told Global Winnipeg that there are more than 45 planned demonstrations this weekend throughout Canada in support of Ukraine and many others worldwide.
The recent comments of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, suggest that Ukraine is to blame for the conflict are increasing red flags in the community, Michalchyshyn said.
“We feel angry because we have a third anniversary of this invasion, we feel annoying because Russian misinformation continues to permeate about the nature of this … which is somehow is the fault of Ukraine, or in some way all these arguments about the pro -narrative -Rusa continues to reach the avant -garde.
“Ukraine is not to blame for the Russian invasion. That is a false narrative. Ukraine cannot celebrate elections, while Russia's dismissal missiles in cities every day, so this willingness to President Trump to assume these Russian and propagating narratives is very worrying. “
Michalyshyn said that his organization continues to press the federal government for greater financial and humanitarian aid to help the warfare efforts of Ukraine and people in the field, as well as the displaced Ukrainians who live and work in Canada, who, to have A certain certainty about his futures could benefit from his work permits to be renewed.
“We really want to avoid a refugee crisis or some type of mass movement of people who work illegally,” he said.
“These people contribute and participate in the life of their community and work hard … and we believe they should continue to have that temporary protection while the war continues.”
On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who attended a peace and security summit in the Ukrainian capital of kyiv, announced that Canada will send $ 5 billion to help Ukraine, with seized asset funds.
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