Ina Gonchukova never expected to live in Canada. But nearly two years after fleeing war-torn Ukraine, she says life has settled down in Granby, Quebec, about 65 kilometers east of Montreal. However, she still could not shake off the desire to return to her country one day and reunite with her husband who stayed there.
“My husband is fighting and here I am fighting,” Gonchukova said in a telephone interview on February 24. Because it is very important to give my children a good future. For now, though, that future is uncertain.
He’s thinking of staying in Quebec and has even taken French language classes. But he doesn’t know if he can take his language skills further. He also does not know if he will be able to prepare for the French language proficiency test as a condition of provincial immigration.
Gonchukova said, it is not easy. That requires your preparation and that requires time. As a single mother of two, I have a lot of work to do so preparing, finding time is difficult.
Gonchukova is one of the displaced Ukrainians in Quebec who are unsure if they can meet the French language requirement. Like many other Ukrainians, he came to Canada under a federal program. He was granted permission to stay and work in Canada for three years under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel program.
Beneficiaries will have time till the end of March to extend this opportunity. But immigration lawyer Natalia Zera said even an extension would make it difficult for some members of the community to demonstrate proficiency in French.
Gonchukova said she could seek employer sponsorship or return to Europe and apply for permanent residency outside of Canada.
Tetiana Iriolu is another displaced Ukrainian. He said that after starting the campaign on February 24, 2022, his life turned upside down. She and her two daughters settled in Longueuil, Quebec, outside of Montreal. And hope to stay here.
He also takes French courses and plans to apply for permanent residency. He said he passed the oral expression section required for the French exam. Preparing for the second test for Oral Comprehension. He is self-confident about success. The support of the Ukrainian and Quebec communities gave him a special advantage in this regard. Others do not have this advantage.
