Ukranians headed to Bow Valley to settle, despite cost of living and housing crisis

When Russia invaded Ukraine back in February, Kate Ostashevskaya felt powerless, but knew that doing something instead of doom-scrolling would help. 

So, she reached out to a Facebook friend, a virtual stranger in Ukraine who had posted about a recent bombing hitting too close to home, and asked if she'd like to flee to Canmore, Alta. 

At first, the woman declined, but eventually decided to flee Ukraine and head to Canada.

So, Ostashevskaya helped her get set up, they worked out paperwork together, and quickly she was employed and out on her own.

"I was very anxious. I didn't know how it will end and how it will go," Ostashevskaya said. 

Banff and Canmore have always been immigration hotbeds, Settlement Services Supervisor Jeanie Godfrey said. Often they see immigrants or new Canadians after they have landed in Canada and started in a community like Calgary. 

Settlement Services in the Bow Valley has helped 78 people with its programming in the region so far. And the Job Resource Centre in Canmore and Banff is seeing about a dozen people interested in the opportunities in both mountain towns every month. 

"We see that that number has been growing very steadily, very quickly over the last few months or so," Godfrey said. 

For single people, even those who don't speak a lot of English, this region in southern Alberta can be a great fit. 

At the Banff Job Resource Centre,  Michel Dufresne is proud of the Rolodex they have at their fingertips. It allows them to know which employers need workers, and what level of English is required for the role. 

"It's often a day visit from Calgary and then they end up coming up to the Job Resource Centre and getting themselves having a good look at the job board, talking to our staff," he said. "We can make calls and then have people interviewed like an hour later kind of thing, or have even an employer coming to meet with a group of Ukrainians. "

Many employers need workers, and some jobs in the area come with staff accommodations. But it does come with challenges. Both Canmore and Banff are currently in a housing crisis, Godfrey said. 

"Certainly the cost of living can be higher than other parts of Alberta," Godfrey said. "We want anyone that's coming to the valley to be successful. We want them to stay here, so we want to know that we have the resources for them to achieve that. Without housing, we know that that is going to be a challenge."

She wants to ensure before taking the trek to Banff or Canmore, Ukrainians — and anyone settling in the area for that matter — look to secure housing first.