As Ukraine marks a year of war, refugees in Thunder Bay find support and a place to call home

For Walter Warywoda, the term "anniversary" didn't feel right to capture his feelings leading up to Friday, which marked a year since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. 

It seemed too light, an anniversary is usually something to be celebrate on a happy occasion, he said. 

"The degree of destruction and lives lost is just, it's unimaginable. We've never seen anything like this since the Second World War," he said. 

As president of Thunder Bay's League of Ukrainian Canadians, Warywoda has been busy organizing events, referring newcomers to resources, and collaborating with groups like the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association to help Ukrainians settle in the city since Russia's invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.

The office of the United Nations high commissioner for human rights reports more than 21,000 civilians have so far been killed or injured during the conflict, although the actual number of casualties is believed to be much higher. War crimes have allegedly been committed.

This time last year, Warywoda was anticipating the arrival of his wife's grandniece and her family from Ukraine. They stayed with the couple for several months and are now employed and living on their own. Their parents are expected to arrive in Thunder Bay next month.

Though Warywoda said it's been heartwarming to see people come together – offering their homes, belongings, and time to Ukrainians fleeing the chaos – he hopes isn't needed for much longer.

Anita Muggeridge is the employment connector at the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association. She helps newcomers and refugees seek employment by assessing their skills and English language proficiency.

At least 40 Ukrainian families are in the Multicultural Association's database, but she suspects the actual number of Ukrainians in Thunder Bay is much higher. Many newcomers already had connections in the city upon their arrival, which meant they didn't reach out for assistance. 

The Multicultural Association braced itself for a large influx of Ukrainians when the war erupted, but the arrivals were staggered. Staff did, however, receive an outpouring of calls from residents asking how they could help. 

Much of the initial work was helping people apply for the one-time government assistance payment through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel pathway, which offered $3,000 per adult and $1,500 per child. Next, it was referring them to medical and counselling services, helping them find housing and enrolling children in school.

For professionals who could speak English, Muggeridge helped them get their credentials assessed, while others were directed to entry-level positions. Partnerships were developed with businesses including Heddle Shipyards in Thunder Bay and Resolute Forest Products, both of which offered jobs to Ukrainian newcomers.

There are 31 Ukrainians working at Resolute Forest Products' sawmill in Atikokan, with five more set to start in March, said Craig Batten, the company's regional human resources manager.

The business connected with Thunder Bay and Atikokan's economic development teams and the Newcomer Centre of Peel to explore options for employing Ukrainians in northwestern Ontario.