Photo: Mariya Makivchuk, Michael Shwec, Minister Christine Fréchette, Eugene Czolij and Iryna Salo.
On 22 August 2023, the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Montreal, Eugene Czolij, had a meeting with the Minister of Immigration, Francisation and Integration of Quebec, Christine Fréchette, during which he thanked her for the assistance to Ukrainians temporarily displaced in Quebec and raised some current issues regarding them.
The following persons also attended this meeting: Michael Shwec, President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Quebec Provincial Council, Mariya Makivchuk, Coordinator of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Quebec Provincial Council, and Iryna Salo, Intern at the Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Montreal.
Michael Shwec summarized the support by the Ukrainian community in Montreal to Ukrainians temporarily displaced in Quebec, including: the collaboration with the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration of Quebec in setting up a welcome kiosk at the Montreal airport; collaboration with the Newcomer Office of Montreal to provide a temporary housing service; fundraising; creation of humanitarian centers in churches; organization of a program of psychological aid; collaboration with Vidéotron to distribute 1,000 cell phones and 5,000 lines, enabling free communication with Ukraine; hosting a successful professional networking event that attracted 550 participants and enhanced work opportunities; collaboration with the Montreal
Chamber of Commerce to organize a job fair, which attracted 450 participants and featured over 50 employers; facilitating job postings for major corporations; distribution of bulletins and opening of a telephone line for informational assistance; distribution of over 500 refurbished computers to professionals and students; organization of day camps and summer camps for youth; distribution of 350 mattresses and bedding sets from Dormez-vous; establishment of a Ukrainian
library; organization of the Montreal Ukrainian Festival, showcasing Ukrainian culture and fostering community engagement.
Eugene Czolij then made the following recommendations to the Minister to help Ukrainians temporarily displaced in Quebec due to Russia's total war against Ukraine: (a) increasing the capacity of francisation courses to reduce waiting times; (b) simplifying the criteria and speeding up the selection process for acquiring permanent resident status in Quebec; (c) subsidizing in part the psychotherapy program at McGill University; and (d) creating a program that would allow college and university students in Montreal to pay local tuition fees.
The Minister of Immigration, Francisation and Integration of Quebec expressed interest in the issues raised and to continue working with the Ukrainian community.
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