Canada is a democratic state, which, with its loyal attitude towards immigrants, received the epithet "country of emigrants". It is difficult to find a nationality whose representatives would not live here. One of the largest diasporas in Canada has been Ukrainian for many years. How did our countrymen get to this country? What attracts them to her? How do modern Ukrainians live in Canada?
The country of Ukrainian happiness
Moving to foreign lands of people from Western Ukraine, namely, they make up the bulk of migrants, was forced by extreme need. Meager plots made it impossible to feed their families. Six families from Galicia were the pioneers of Canadian expanses with boundless fields and hayfields. Thus began the economic wave of emigration 120 years ago.
Reasons of a political nature prompted Western Ukrainians to leave their native land, who did not want to obey the Poles, and in the post-war years, the communist regime. A visa to Canada for Ukrainians has become for manysaving ticket from repression and Stalin's camps.
After the collapse of the USSR, in the difficult times of the formation of a new state, mass migration to Canada was aimed at finding better prospects for arranging life and a future for children.
Suitable climatic conditions, opportunities for development, study and work, and, most importantly, a loyal state policy towards migrants and assistance in settling down - these are the main reasons why the mass migration from Ukraine to Canada continues to this day.
Modern Diaspora
The Canadian provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are called the second Ukraine. The main number of its former residents is concentrated here, which has increased by 138 thousand people over the past 15 years.
The most popular travel destination for Ukrainians is Canada. A work visa for Ukrainians is issued to about 800 citizens annually. Approximately the same amount is received for training. In addition, the country freely issues tourist and visitor visas for those who wish to visit their relatives. Due to the large flow of guests, tourists and students from Ukraine, Canada has canceled visas for Ukrainians. This decision has already been taken by the government unanimously, before its implementation, it remains to resolve some technical issues.
Every Ukrainian who officially arrives for permanent residence is registered as a permanent resident and gets access to social benefits, medical insurance and employment.
Employment in Canada for Ukrainians
The main factor of successful living in any country is a prestigious job. The Diaspora helps newcomers in every possible way with settling in, including finding a job, but those who know in advance where they are expected are securely settled. You can go to work in Canada after receiving a work visa or by invitation under a federal program. In any case, the employer must call the applicant. The visa is granted to work in a specific company in a specific position.
Ukrainians in Canada find it easiest to settle in areas such as:
- catering - managers, managers, chefs;
- medicine - skilled nurses, carers, family doctors, dentists, psychologists, social workers;
- provision of qualified services - electricians, welders, carpenters, plumbers, crane operators.
According to the federal programs of individual districts, the list of in-demand speci alties is wider.
Personnel benefits
Without problems, those who are fluent in English or French can get a work visa to Canada. Age criteria - from 18 to 49, the optimal age is 21-35 years. Ukrainian diplomas do not require recertification. The only exception is the medical industry. Education in Canada for Ukrainians who are related to medicine is mandatory. They undergo internships, recertification, complete their studies at a local university. Local education is a priority forgetting a good position.
How people study in this country
Canadian higher education is listed worldwide. Getting it in this country has become popular among Ukrainian youth. Studying in Canada for Ukrainians is not a cheap pleasure, but the government went to meet foreign students. During their studies, each of them has the right to find any job without issuing a separate permit for this. Those who exercise this right (and there are many of them) not only have the means for permanent residence and subsistence, but also compensate themselves for part of the cost of education. In addition, after receiving a diploma, a full right to employment in Canada is given, and the graduate has up to 3 years to look for a suitable job.
You can enter a local university or college immediately after graduating from a Ukrainian high school, successfully passing the language exam, but the pre-university option is more successful. The fact is that education in Canada and Ukraine is very different. The requirements for students are not so much complicated as incomprehensible to foreigners. The period of the preparatory program is necessary to adapt to an unusual environment.
Ukrainian culture in Canada
How many Ukrainians are in Canada? Today, the figure is 1.2 million people, or 3% of the total population of the country. This does not include citizens with temporary student or visitor visas. Naturally, such a large diaspora cannot but preserve its originality. Immigrants from Ukraine maintain their culture,traditions, customs, language and pass it on to future generations. The grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the first settlers, regardless of occupation, are brought up in love for the homeland of their ancestors. On the territory of the "Ukrainian" provinces, there are a number of museums dedicated to the history of their native country. A special word deserves the museum-village "Ukrainian Heritage". This open-air exposition in the form of a real Ukrainian village clearly tells about the life and culture of the country. On certain days, master classes in various folk crafts are organized here.
Many talented writers and poets who did not receive recognition in their homeland lived and created their works in Canada: Olena Teliga, Oleg Olzhych, Miroslav Irchan and others.
Now the tours of many Ukrainian pop figures are organized at the invitation and with the assistance of the diaspora community - this is how emigrants try to keep abreast of the cultural life of their native country.
Ukrainians and Canadians
Ethnic groups, societies of emigrants of various nationalities exist in all countries. One of the factors that define Canada as a country for successful and safe living is a very friendly policy towards immigrants, regardless of nationalities. In addition, within the country there are no privileges on a financial, social basis, on a racial basis. Due to the fact that a worker, teacher and manager in a large firm can earn almost the same, depending on their contribution and work experience, there are practically no differences in social status. There is no division by religion, ethnicity, skin color.
What Ukrainians in Canada have a hard time getting used to is the insistence on following the rules. The Slavic mentality makes it difficult to adapt to such customs. Otherwise, Canadians are very sociable and friendly, although it is customary to plan all meetings and visits in advance, and this schedule is violated only under force majeure circumstances.
Retired emigrants
Ukrainians in Canada who have reached retirement age often share their nostalgic memories of their native land, try to come to visit relatives or invite them to their place. There is no talk of returning to their historical homeland.
The fact is that pensioners in Canada are respectable people, here called seniors. They are eagerly waiting for the moment when it will be possible to start a free life. Social assistance upon retirement in Canada does not depend on the position and salary level. The difference can only be in personal savings. The pensioner spends his time traveling, pursuing his hobbies, communicating with friends. The level of social payments allows you to maintain a house, change a car and household appliances, pay maintenance staff.
The retirement age in Canada is 65, regardless of gender. An emigrant is en titled to a pension if he lives in the country for at least 10 years (which is what many immigrants from Ukraine strive for).
No problem?
It's fair to say that the life of an emigrant, even in such a loyal power as Canada, is not a continuous paradise. The country needs more workers. In addition, it takes quite a long time to get used to someone else's mentality, customs - overseas life is very different from what we are used to.
According to statistics, about 30% of young, able-bodied and promising citizens are not averse to leaving for Canada for permanent residence, joining their compatriots and worrying about the fate of their homeland, working for the Canadian budget and earning Canadian benefits.
