It’s been two years since Russia launched its military invasion of Ukraine and a group of Ukrainians and their supporters in Prince George will mark that grim anniversary with a rally today.
It starts at noon at the Ukrainian St. George’s Catholic Church at 2414 Vanier Dr., and participants will link arms in a line of people that will stretch from the church to Massey Avenue.
Everybody is welcome to join the rally, which is scheduled to go on for at least two hours.
“The goal is to have enough hands that we join arm-in-arm all the way down to Pine Centre Mall,” said Dick Mynen, director of donations and fundraising for the Prince George For Ukraine support group.
“We hope people, if they have them, will bring their Ukrainian flag. It’s just to show that community is together, arm-in-arm, there in support and solidarity for the people back home.”
Prince George is now home to 239 displaced Ukrainians from 89 families who have fled their war-torn homeland for the safety Canada provides. Since the first refugees came in May 2022, 350 people from Ukraine have been funneled through the city to come to north central B.C.
Mynen is expected a family of five from the Ukraine to arrive in Prince George which will bring the total for February to 19, with another 20 expected in March.
“It’s just horrible that it’s going on this long and the sad thing is there’s no end that appears to be in sight,” said Mynen. “We still have people fleeing danger and coming here even after two years of struggling to hope for a better outcome.”
March 31 is the deadline for Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) agreement.
That is the last day for Ukrainians to enter Canada under the CAUET provisions which grants access to settlement services normally reserved for permanent residents of Canada.
They have until the 31st to apply to extend or change temporary resident status, to apply for a work permit, study permit, or an extension that would allow a stay in Canada up to three years. All those are fast-tracked and work permits are endorsed when they arrive at Prince George Airport with their visas.
As of April 1, those who have a visa will have to meet general requirements to enter Canada. They won’t be eligible for support services and their length of stay in Canada is limited to six months.
“We’re certainly seeing a change in that initially these were people who were looking for shelter while the war lasted,” said Prince George For Ukraine volunteer Charles Scott.
“Increasingly, these are people understanding that there’s very little to go back to. Two years ago people were just trying to ride out the war and then they were going home. Now most are looking for a new home, and that’s hard. It’s tough all around.”
The church will have a half-hour service at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, just prior to the rally.
