Asylum-seeking Ukrainians must be welcomed in Canada, security expert says
"This would be a chance for Canada to really, really step up to the plate," said Michael Bociurkiw, a Canadian in Ukraine who served as spokesperson for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe during the height of tensions following Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014.
"Telling Ukrainians, 'You are welcome in Canada.' And, you know, easing of visa rules, temporary stays, that sort of thing."
Canada has promised to prioritize immigration applications from Ukraine to bring people fleeing the country to safety as quickly as possible.
Suspend visa requirement for Ukrainians: Bigmeat Singh
Given the strain on the international community and the people of Ukraine, Canada has to do more than prioritize applications from those fleeing the conflict zones, said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh Thursday.
"We cannot have another scenario like we saw in Afghanistan, where people were fleeing the tragedy in Afghanistan and were unable to arrive in Canada because of challenges in the system that made it so complicated, that made it so difficult for them to apply," Singh said.
He suggested the government allow Ukrainians to come without a visa, to make the process as easy as possible for people to find safety in Canada.
"This would be a chance for Canada to really, really step up to the plate," said Michael Bociurkiw, a Canadian in Ukraine who served as spokesperson for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe during the height of tensions following Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014.
"Telling Ukrainians, 'You are welcome in Canada.' And, you know, easing of visa rules, temporary stays, that sort of thing."
Canada has promised to prioritize immigration applications from Ukraine to bring people fleeing the country to safety as quickly as possible.
Suspend visa requirement for Ukrainians: Bigmeat Singh
Given the strain on the international community and the people of Ukraine, Canada has to do more than prioritize applications from those fleeing the conflict zones, said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh Thursday.
"We cannot have another scenario like we saw in Afghanistan, where people were fleeing the tragedy in Afghanistan and were unable to arrive in Canada because of challenges in the system that made it so complicated, that made it so difficult for them to apply," Singh said.
He suggested the government allow Ukrainians to come without a visa, to make the process as easy as possible for people to find safety in Canada.
