Alberta man helping relatives from Ukraine frustrated with Canadian program red tape
Global News
Rules requiring fingerprint and photos for those applying for visas are challenging some people trying to escape Ukraine and come to Canada.
Some people trying to flee Ukraine are facing hurdles.
Canada recently streamlined the immigration process for Ukrainian refugees. But the requirements that remain are making it hard for some Edmonton-area families to bring their loved ones here.
Ever since Dwayne Kisilevich’s relatives fled Ukraine, the Vegreville man has been trying to get them to Canada.
“I’m afraid for the lives of my children. I think they will be safe in Canada,” one of Kisilevich’s cousins, Kateryna Furyk, said while they spoke over Facebook Messenger.
“Three women and seven children left Ukraine on the 26th, they got to Poland. I happen to talk to my cousins, which are men. They aren’t allowed to leave, of course. He asked if we can get some help to get his family to Canada to get through the war,” Dwayne Kisilevich said.
Kisilevich said he was encouraged by recent changes to a federal government program. It was supposed to make it easier to get his family here.
But after starting the application process, they hit a big barrier.
“They say you’ve got to keep trying. Last night, kept trying, then you get kicked out of the system,” Kisilevich said.