Nataliya has been a resident of Canada for over two decades, and she plays a pivotal role in organizing protests within the Canadian-Ukrainian community in Ottawa. Additionally, she is the driving force behind the non-profit charity «Ottawa Supports Ukraine — OSUDemocracy».
Two decades ago, Nataliya made her way to Canada, initially establishing herself in Montreal. There, she pursued an education in political science, built a family, and later made Gatineau her home for the past 11 years. Since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Nataliya has been tirelessly coordinating events in support of Ukraine, rallying both the local communities in Gatineau and Ottawa.
On February 28, 2022, the public group «OSUDemocracy» was founded, which subsequently transformed into a platform dedicated to fostering the development of Ukrainian culture.
«The onset of the invasion in Ukraine left me shocked. I initiated efforts to stand with Ukraine as the injustice faced by Ukrainians and their culture cannot be ignored. If not us, then who will do it? In February 2022, I created a Facebook group to help the community access reliable information. Today, our organization is dedicated to championing democracy and shining a spotlight on Ukraine’s struggle against Russian autocracy.”
Progressively, Nataliya orchestrated diverse protests, including one at the Hungarian Embassy during the vote to disconnect Russia from the SWIFT payment system. This eventually led her to collaborate with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), extending assistance to others.
According to Nataliya, over the past year, attitudes towards the war have shifted, with many becoming accustomed to the situation. However, she remains observant of the unwavering support and participation of the local community in political actions to bolster Ukraine.
«The initial shock, particularly after Bucha, was profound, yet the intensity waned subsequently. I am indebted to our activists who consistently gather for protests near the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Canada. Their dedication merits recognition. I recall how we raised funds for the Ukrainian military, presenting Canadian activists with keychains resembling a destroyed Russian tank. It was well-received; they witness the tangible outcomes of their assistance.”
Nataliya underscores that numerous recently arrived Ukrainian women confront adaptation challenges in Canada. Nevertheless, she acknowledges the willingness of the local community to provide ongoing support.
«I extended help to Ukrainian women during the initial stages of the invasion. The situation is more arduous for women who arrive with young children. When children are merely 2 to 5 years old, they demand constant attention, making it daunting for mothers to focus when work, childcare, and their needs demand attention. Even if they have host families, not all are accommodating toward young children. However, these circumstances mobilize resources and prompt women to seek solutions. Children often serve as a unifying factor. Many attend Ukrainian schools, where language becomes a common bond.”
Nataliya actively engages the local community in supporting Ukrainians. She laments instances where some initiatives falter due to a lack of requisite backing. Fatigue stemming from the prolonged war is among the reasons she cites.
«I‘ve witnessed projects assisting Ukrainians in Gatineau shutter. There are unfortunate factors at play. First and foremost, many organizations aren’t officially registered. For instance, my own organization was only registered two months ago, despite over a year and a half of operation. The lack of resources is a key challenge. The continuous cycle of protests, event organization, and providing aid requires ongoing communication with both the Ukrainian community and local authorities. Most volunteer groups function without a formal budget. All of this heavily affects individuals who also need to provide for their own families.”
Nataliya believes it’s crucial for Ukrainian women to persevere, raising their children and instilling Ukrainian culture within them. She also underscores the potential benefits of mastering French and English, noting their utility for children’s future endeavours.
«I am optimistic about Ukrainian women in Canada. Their children are healthy, and their families are safe here. Initially, people lend assistance in securing employment and housing. Then the focus shifts to child-rearing and teaching Ukrainian—a task more complex than learning English or French. There’s tremendous potential here; sending children to French-speaking schools equips them with the language, making English acquisition comparatively easier. Ultimately, this enables children to master at least three languages.”
At present, Nataliya remains committed to aiding Ukrainians and spearheading events in their support. Her ambitions include devising a business plan to assist in the reconstruction of five schools in Ukraine over the next 10–15 years. Simultaneously, she prioritizes the advancement of Ukrainian culture and fostering unity within the Gatineau-Ottawa community’s resolve against the Russian conflict.
«I‘m immensely thankful for the support Canadians extend to Ukraine. Our organization, ‘Ottawa Supports Ukraine — OSUDemocracy,’ was specifically founded to enable them to engage with Ukrainian culture and history, participate in pro-Ukrainian events, and understand how to assist Ukraine. We communicate in both English and French, Canada’s official languages, to broaden our reach. Newly arrived Ukrainians are ambassadors of their homeland, and I frequently hear positive remarks from Canadians about Ukrainians. I take pride in the respect and admirable conduct Ukrainians exhibit. For this, I express my gratitude to Canadians, who recognize this beauty and positivity, and maintain faith in Ukraine’s triumph.”
How Canada is helping Ukrainians
In the wake of the comprehensive Russian invasion of Ukraine that commenced on February 24, 2022, countless Ukrainians have been compelled to flee their homes. Responding swiftly, on March 3, 2022, the Canadian government unveiled the CUAET program, which facilitated the urgent entry of Ukrainians into the country. The program encompassed temporary financial aid and access to an array of settlement and adaptation services.
As of today, a staggering 175,729 Ukrainians have arrived in Canada through the CUAET.
However, on July 15, 2023, the Canadian government ceased accepting new applications under the CUAET program. Nonetheless, they extended support measures for newly arrived Ukrainians until April 2024.
According to information released by the Canadian government, commencing October 23, 2023, Canada will initiate a fresh pathway to permanent residency for Ukrainians who fled the unlawful Russian invasion and wish to establish themselves in Canada. To qualify, Ukrainian nationals must be in Canada with temporary resident status and have one or more family members already residing in the country. Eligible family members encompass spouses, domestic partners, parents, grandparents, siblings, children, or grandchildren of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
For Ukrainians possessing a CUAET visa, the opportunity to travel to Canada under special temporary provisions will persist until March 31, 2024. After the conclusion of overseas applications under the CUAET on July 15, 2023, Ukrainian individuals and their family members can continue to apply for temporary resident visas to Canada under the existing immigration measures.
Upon arrival in Canada, temporary residents will be entitled to request extended stays of up to three years through study permits and open work permits, with a strong emphasis on expediting these processes. Furthermore, they will gain access to settlement services, including language courses and employment assistance.
Translator: Mykyta Budnyk
