Now, the former banker is among nine people from the country who have made a new life in Blumenort and started working at a factory in the small community, about 45 kilometers southeast of Winnipeg. “It’s physical work, but it’s work. I need work,” Kashperskyi said. “All the people are very nice. It’s a great support for the Ukrainians. Thanks to all the Canadians who helped the Ukrainians.” He says he’s looking forward to building a new life here and plans to apply for permanent residency to stay in Canada long-term. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February, nearly six million people have fled the country for neighboring countries in Europe, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The federal government says as of late June, more than 50,000 had arrived in Canada. Over 300,000 have applied for temporary resident visas. About 2,000 displaced Ukrainians have made Manitoba their home since Russia’s offensive began, according to the province. Nick Krawetz, who volunteers to support newcomers, says it’s because of the support they receive. “They come here because the word is getting out that Manitoba is the place to come,” he said. Displaced Ukrainians arrive at Winnipeg airport in May. The province says about 2,050 Ukrainians have applied for health cards in Manitoba and there are currently 350 people staying in government-arranged temporary accommodation. (Karen Pauls/CBC) Despite the recent incident in which two Ukrainian refugees were attacked in Winnipeg, Kravetz said the province offers a safe haven for people fleeing war. “Our community is focused on welcoming and supporting anyone from Ukraine,” he said. Krawetz says more Ukrainians are coming to Winnipeg every day, including 64 who arrived in one day just last week. When they arrive, Ukrainian Canadian Congress and provincial workers are at the airport to welcome them and help ensure they have temporary housing, health care and a range of other supports. A provincial spokesman said about 2,050 Manitoba Health cards have been issued to newly arrived Ukrainians so far. The government is providing temporary housing to those without connections in the province, and about 350 rooms are currently booked, the spokesman said. About 1,200 people have been staying in temporary accommodation since April 25.
“Amazing talent pool”
There is also some support in the private sector, with one business owner calling on local entrepreneurs to follow his lead and start hiring newcomers from Ukraine. Mark Myrowich, whose company makes products to stop corrosion on construction sites, has hired 14 people from Ukraine — including Kashperskyi. In addition to the nine who work at the company’s Blumenort plant, another five work at its Riverton plant in Interlake, Manitoba. Myrowich has plans to hire at least five more. “When I realized there were a lot of Ukrainians coming to Canada, I thought how can I help them?” said Myrowich, the CEO of ECBVerdyol. Mark Myrowich, CEO of ECBVerdyol, says there is enthusiasm to support Ukrainians coming to Manitoba. “The community is fantastic here in rural Manitoba,” he says. (Anne-Louise Michel/Radio-Canada) His grandparents immigrated to Manitoba from the Ukraine during the First World War. “I’m sure at that time someone had helped them. I feel my duty is to pay it forward and help the Ukrainians who are settling in Canada now. What I can give them are jobs,” he said. Employers may find it a hassle to hire people who may not yet speak English well, but Myrowich says it’s been very easy to communicate with his new employees using technology like Google Translate. “If there are other entrepreneurs or entrepreneurs out there, really think about this amazing pool of talent coming into this country right now and don’t let language get in the way of recruiting them,” Myrowich said. He says he is working with a local church to ensure his new employees have help finding housing, transportation and access to other local services. There is a seemingly endless enthusiasm for supporting newcomers, he said. “Every time I think they’re full, they find more room. They’re very, very generous people. The community is fantastic here in rural Manitoba.”
