refugee

Ukrainian families fleeing to Canada from their home country can be open to being preyed upon if they aren’t working through known, legitimate agencies. (Photo by Angelique Houlihan)

Ukrainians coming to B.C. face rising human trafficking risks

Connecting with Canadian hosts online can leave refugee families open to exploitation

  • Aug 22, 2022
Ukrainian families fleeing to Canada from their home country can be open to being preyed upon if they aren’t working through known, legitimate agencies. (Photo by Angelique Houlihan)
Valerii Didenko is seen with Paul Fussell and Cathy Jansen’s dog, named Lucy. (Black Press Media)

Ukrainian couple, daughter land in B.C. with hopes of building a ‘big, happy family’

The Didenkos hope to rent a unit nearby as their 5-year-old daughter enters kindergarten

Valerii Didenko is seen with Paul Fussell and Cathy Jansen’s dog, named Lucy. (Black Press Media)
Kim Phuc Phan Thi poses with Ukrainians leaving Warsaw, Poland, for Canada in this recent handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - KIM Foundation International
Kim Phuc Phan Thi poses with Ukrainians leaving Warsaw, Poland, for Canada in this recent handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - KIM Foundation International
Nina Kutcheruk and her family have recently arrived in Castlegar from Ukraine. Photo: Betsy Kline

Ukrainian family finds refuge in Castlegar

Nina Kucheruk and her family have arrived from Kyiv

Nina Kutcheruk and her family have recently arrived in Castlegar from Ukraine. Photo: Betsy Kline
Peter and Christina with Larysa, Darina and Bohdan, taken at the airport when they arrived on June 29, 2022. (Submitted photo)

Ukraine to Terrace: A modern day wartime reunion

Ukrainian family finds refuge though century-old Canadian connection

Peter and Christina with Larysa, Darina and Bohdan, taken at the airport when they arrived on June 29, 2022. (Submitted photo)
Inna Abilova, left to right, poses for a photograph with her mother, Maryna Yakovenko, and sister, Sabina Abilova, who recently arrived in Canada from Ukraine, in Etobicoke, Ont., on Thursday, June 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin

‘It’s difficult’: Ukrainian newcomers struggle to make ends meet in Canada

“If we don’t find a job, we won’t be able to stay here for long.”

Inna Abilova, left to right, poses for a photograph with her mother, Maryna Yakovenko, and sister, Sabina Abilova, who recently arrived in Canada from Ukraine, in Etobicoke, Ont., on Thursday, June 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin
Mahdi “JJ” Taheri may be a newcomer to Canada and North BC, but he isn’t new to the small engine repair business. (photo courtesy Blackbeard’s Small Engine & Repair)

From Afghanistan to Fraser Lake: The mechanics of a refugee

Mahdi Taheri shares his unlikely journey from the Afghan army to opening a shop in small-town B.C.

Mahdi “JJ” Taheri may be a newcomer to Canada and North BC, but he isn’t new to the small engine repair business. (photo courtesy Blackbeard’s Small Engine & Repair)
Yurii Kuzniak , 12, poses for a photo as he holds a note given to him from a 13-year-old Canadian boy in Edmonton on May 18, 2022. A backpack filled with games, toiletries and undergarments was gifted to him when his family arrived in Canada after fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Jackson

Ukrainian mother finds safety in Canada, but drawn back to homeland to help

“Her feeling of the guilt was stronger than her feeling of the danger”

Yurii Kuzniak , 12, poses for a photo as he holds a note given to him from a 13-year-old Canadian boy in Edmonton on May 18, 2022. A backpack filled with games, toiletries and undergarments was gifted to him when his family arrived in Canada after fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Jackson
Ukrainian nationals fleeing the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine arrive at the Richardson International Airport, in Winnipeg, Monday, May 23, 2022. A second charter flight of Ukrainians who've been approved for emergency travel to Canada is scheduled to arrive in Montreal today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski

Second federal flight carrying Ukrainians bound for Canada lands in Montreal

There were 306 refugees and more than 20 animals on board

Ukrainian nationals fleeing the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine arrive at the Richardson International Airport, in Winnipeg, Monday, May 23, 2022. A second charter flight of Ukrainians who've been approved for emergency travel to Canada is scheduled to arrive in Montreal today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski
Sergey Toporkov and Olena Toporkova in the garden of his uncle and aunt’s South Surrey home.

Ukraine refugees, now in B.C., bear witness to ordeal of war

Sergey Toporkov and his wife Olena arrived in Canada with little but the clothes on their backs

Sergey Toporkov and Olena Toporkova in the garden of his uncle and aunt’s South Surrey home.
Nine year old Zoriana greets her sister, Sofiia, as her and their mother, Natalia, arrive from Ukraine in St. John’s, Monday, May 9, 2022. Newfoundland and Labrador received its first plane load of refugees from Ukraine. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Greg Locke

Tears, hugs and joy in St. John’s, N.L., as 166 Ukrainian refugees arrive from Poland

People waved Ukrainian flags and held up signs of welcome at the St. John’s International Airport

Nine year old Zoriana greets her sister, Sofiia, as her and their mother, Natalia, arrive from Ukraine in St. John’s, Monday, May 9, 2022. Newfoundland and Labrador received its first plane load of refugees from Ukraine. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Greg Locke
Dozens of New Westminster community members rallied outside Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary School May 9, calling for residency for a school family facing deportation to Mexico. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)

PHOTOS: New Westminster community rallies behind family facing deportation

Family fled death threats in Mexico 13 years ago

Dozens of New Westminster community members rallied outside Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary School May 9, calling for residency for a school family facing deportation to Mexico. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)
Ukrainian refugees walk along vehicles lining up to cross the border from Ukraine into Moldova, at Mayaky-Udobne crossing border point near Udobne, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. The U.N. refugee agency says nearly 120,000 people have so far fled Ukraine into neighbouring countries in the wake of the Russian invasion. The number was going up fast as Ukrainians grabbed their belongings and rushed to escape from a deadly Russian onslaught. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

‘This is what B.C. does’: Minister Cullen commends community response to Ukrainian refugees

Donations, accommodations, and work opportunities flow freely for refugees in B.C.

Ukrainian refugees walk along vehicles lining up to cross the border from Ukraine into Moldova, at Mayaky-Udobne crossing border point near Udobne, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. The U.N. refugee agency says nearly 120,000 people have so far fled Ukraine into neighbouring countries in the wake of the Russian invasion. The number was going up fast as Ukrainians grabbed their belongings and rushed to escape from a deadly Russian onslaught. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
Grade 7 student Riley Campbell has raised $1,300 selling cookies to help soon-to-arrive Ukrainian refugees. (Tanmay Ahluwalia/Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: Langley girl selling cookies to help soon-to-arrive Ukraine refugees

$1,300 raised, so far, by a 12 year old from Willoughby

Grade 7 student Riley Campbell has raised $1,300 selling cookies to help soon-to-arrive Ukrainian refugees. (Tanmay Ahluwalia/Langley Advance Times)
A young Ukrainian child watches as helpers with Hope for the Nation in Romania hand out grocery cards to families who fled the war in Ukraine. (Facebook/ Hope for the Nation)

Abbotsford couple back in Romania to help Ukrainian refugees after ‘miracle’ recovery

‘If you don’t push yourself to help others during a war, when will you push yourself?’

A young Ukrainian child watches as helpers with Hope for the Nation in Romania hand out grocery cards to families who fled the war in Ukraine. (Facebook/ Hope for the Nation)
B.C. Municipal Affairs Minister Nathan Cullen announced further supports for Ukrainian refugees at a news conference with federal immigration minister Sean Fraser, Immigration Services Society of B.C. president Chris Friesen and Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC CEO Katie Crocker. (Cole Schisler/Black Press)

B.C. expands employment, education, mental health support for Ukrainian refugees

Minister of Municipal Affairs Nathan Cullen announced the expansion of support on April 13

B.C. Municipal Affairs Minister Nathan Cullen announced further supports for Ukrainian refugees at a news conference with federal immigration minister Sean Fraser, Immigration Services Society of B.C. president Chris Friesen and Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC CEO Katie Crocker. (Cole Schisler/Black Press)
Ukrainian refugees wait for a transport at the central train station in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, March 27, 2022. More than 3.7 million people have fled the war so far, Europe’s largest exodus since World War II. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Ukraine refugees near 4 million, will exodus slowdown last?

Fewer people have crossed the border in recent days, no one sure if it’s pause or permanent drop-off

Ukrainian refugees wait for a transport at the central train station in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, March 27, 2022. More than 3.7 million people have fled the war so far, Europe’s largest exodus since World War II. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Ukrainian refugees walk along vehicles lining-up to cross the border from Ukraine into Moldova, at Mayaky-Udobne crossing border point near Udobne, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Ukrainian Canadian Congress pans refugee resettlement program as ‘tourist visa with a work permit’

Congress president Alexandra Chyczij called on the federal government to provide more support

Ukrainian refugees walk along vehicles lining-up to cross the border from Ukraine into Moldova, at Mayaky-Udobne crossing border point near Udobne, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
Russian-Canadians supporting their brothers and sisters in Ukraine (Jacqueline Gelineau - Capital News)

Vernon family plans for Ukrainian refugee arrival as Russia presses on into country

Grygoriy Dyma will welcome his goddaughter and several other youth until the war in Ukraine subsides

Russian-Canadians supporting their brothers and sisters in Ukraine (Jacqueline Gelineau - Capital News)
Abdelrahman Elmady is shown in a handout photo. Dozens of Muslim Canadian organizations are pleading to the prime minister, public safety minister, and president of the Canada Border Services Agency to intervene on behalf of Egyptian refugee claimants in Vancouver who have been denied because of their association with the Freedom and Justice Party. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

Muslim groups ask feds to intervene on behalf of Egyptian refugees in Vancouver

From 2015 to 2021, Canada received over 3,900 refugee claims from Egypt and accepted about 3,100

Abdelrahman Elmady is shown in a handout photo. Dozens of Muslim Canadian organizations are pleading to the prime minister, public safety minister, and president of the Canada Border Services Agency to intervene on behalf of Egyptian refugee claimants in Vancouver who have been denied because of their association with the Freedom and Justice Party. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO