New Working Group Will Improve Immigration Opportunities for Ukrainians

The Canadian federal government has announced an agreement with Ukraine that will improve mobility opportunities for Ukrainians looking to come to Canada while also maintaining the integrity of Canada’s immigration and visa processes.

Titled the “Canada-Ukraine Mobility Working Group,” Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino unveiled the new agreement last week on the 29th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and Ukraine.

“Through generations of Ukrainians who have made Canada their home, the Ukrainian-Canadian community continues to make outstanding contributions to Canada’s economy, our society and our diverse cultural fabric,” said Mendicino. “The unique partnership that we are announcing today will serve to further strengthen the deep-rooted, people-to-people ties between our two countries.”

The goal of this new group is to identify and improve opportunities for Ukrainians looking to live and work in Canada.

According to a press release from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, the group will enable both Canada and Ukraine to:

  • Share best practices on migration management
  • Increase recruitment
  • Promote Canada’s economic immigration programs
  • Strengthen co-operation on immigration-related matters

The group will also help Canada and Ukraine develop a youth mobility agreement. This agreement will provide travel opportunities to Canadian and Ukrainian youth when the COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted.

“The people of Canada and Ukraine have a strong relationship that will only be deepened by the announcement made today,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau. “Our people-to-people ties, but also our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, is unequivocal and Canada will continue to stand by Ukrainians as reforms take place in the country.”

There are currently more than 1.3 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent. According to the press release, the new agreement will help further strengthen Canada’s long-standing relationship with Ukraine, which it describes as “anchored by close people-to-people ties and shared values.”

Despite the travel restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, “the mobility working group will build on our relationship with the people of Ukraine and bring us even closer together,” stated the press release.