A Ukrainian family residing in Halifax is urging the Canadian government to address the concerns of thousands of Ukrainian applicants facing a potential wait of over 50 years for the processing of their permanent residency applications. Oleh Zadoretskyy, who arrived in Halifax with his family in March 2023 via a humanitarian pathway, expressed shock upon discovering the lengthy processing times, which were confirmed through an access-to-information request filed by their lawyer.
Zadoretskyy, a software developer, and his family, originally from Ukraine but working in Latvia when the war erupted, sought refuge in Canada to escape the conflict. With their daughters aged nine and 14 attending school in Halifax, they consider the city their home and a safe haven from the threat of war. Concerned about the expiry of his daughters’ visitor permits in March, Zadoretskyy emphasized the importance of timely processing to ensure their access to essential services like healthcare and education.
Despite having three years left on his work permit, Zadoretskyy is troubled by the uncertainty surrounding his family’s future in Canada. The immigration processing time estimator indicates a wait of over four years for his application, with nearly 48,900 files in the queue awaiting processing. Immigration lawyer Elizabeth Wozniak’s clients, including some of those affected, are exploring alternative pathways to maintain their status in Canada amidst the delays and uncertainties.
In response to the situation, Zadoretskyy highlighted the financial burden and emotional toll of prolonged waiting periods, calling for a viable plan to support Ukrainians seeking to stay in Canada permanently. While acknowledging the government’s efforts to manage immigration levels, he expressed skepticism about the practicality of expecting applicants to wait decades for a decision on their status. With no clear resolution in sight, the family faces an uncertain future, with Zadoretskyy questioning the feasibility of enduring such prolonged limbo in their pursuit of permanent residency in Canada.