Alberta groups struggle to support Ukrainian refugees as language funding ends

Groups supporting Ukrainian refugees in Alberta say it’s getting harder to help newcomers, citing concerns over longer wait times for English-language courses.

After learning about changes in funding from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, organizations that support Ukrainian refugees in Alberta are warning that it’s becoming more difficult to provide necessary services.

“No matter how much we’re trying, I don’t think we will be able to fill the gap,” said Galyna Salyzhyn, an ESL teacher for newcomers.

Salyzhyn, a Calgary-based ESL teacher, has been teaching Ukrainian newcomers since 2022. She supports 40 students each week and says the waitlist is already long. Without continued government funding for Ukrainians under emergency visas, programs will increasingly need to rely on community donations.

“We’ve been stretching every dollar to keep our classes going, but without most of the support, we may have to scale back — or, most likely, stop altogether by the end of June,” she said.

Emergency settlement funding for Ukrainian newcomers ended on March 31.

Orysia Boychuk, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial Council, expressed concern that newcomers may be forced to turn to private language classes.

“This will make a difference in employment opportunities. Others will face challenges in pursuing further education, because without basic English skills, it’s hard to continue with anything to be successful,” said Boychuk.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said, in part:

“While federally funded settlement services are no longer available, Ukrainian nationals with temporary resident status in Canada and their dependents may be able to access similar programs and services through non-IRCC-funded settlement service providers, community groups, and Ukrainian Canadian organizations.”

An estimated 22,000 Ukrainians have immigrated to Edmonton over the past three years, with about 65,000 settling across Alberta.

Boychuk says many still require language support.

“There is a significant need. Just by the courses we’re offering, they are being filled within hours,” she said.