A Ukrainian family residing in Halifax is urging the Canadian government to address concerns raised by thousands of Ukrainian nationals facing potential wait times exceeding 50 years for their permanent residency applications to be processed. Oleh Zadoretskyy, who moved to Halifax with his family in 2023, expressed shock and disbelief upon discovering the lengthy processing timelines, initially revealed in a CBC News report last October.
Zadoretskyy and his family, who fled Ukraine to escape the conflict, are part of a community of Ukrainians utilizing the humanitarian and compassionate stream to seek refuge in Canada. Concerns escalated when an access-to-information request confirmed the possibility of applications taking up to 55 years to be processed, leaving many individuals in a state of despair and uncertainty.
Having settled in Halifax, Zadoretskyy, a software developer, and his wife, employed at a charity, are concerned about the future of their daughters, aged nine and 14. Despite their contributions to the community, the family faces challenges as their daughters’ visitor permits are set to expire, hindering their access to essential services such as healthcare and education.
The family’s immigration status remains in limbo, with Zadoretskyy expressing frustration over the prolonged processing times. With no clear resolution in sight, Zadoretskyy emphasized the need for a sustainable plan to assist Ukrainian families seeking to establish permanent residency in Canada.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada acknowledged the backlog in processing Ukrainian applications, attributing the delays to a higher volume of applications than available spots in the immigration levels plan. The department aims to expedite processing times for the majority of applications within service standards, but uncertainties persist for families like Zadoretskyy’s awaiting clarity on their future in the country.
As the family navigates the complexities of the immigration system, they remain hopeful for a resolution that would allow them to secure their place in Canada without enduring decades of uncertainty and waiting.