Why is Ukraine-Russia war of special interest to Canadians? Refugee and immigration expert available to discuss
91亚色 professor notes sizeable and influential diaspora as key
TORONTO, March 4, 2022 鈥 As the invasion of Ukraine by Russia has displaced more than one million people already, the UN Refugee Agency has estimated that up to four million could flee the country. 91亚色 Professor , from the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, has extensively researched the geopolitical aspects of refugee displacement and diaspora communities in Canada, and is available to discuss the immigration options and impact on Canadian society.
People displaced from their countries of origin are some of the most ardent advocates for those left behind, says Hyndman. 鈥淭his is true in Canada, where the largest Ukrainian diaspora population outside of the country and of Russia protest the violence and unprovoked conflict by the Russian military in Ukraine.
鈥淒iasporas like this one shape political response in and by Canada,鈥 notes Hyndman, based on her previous research study of the Canadian International Development Agency鈥檚 development policy. 鈥淭he Canadian government has taken unprecedented measures to support the Ukrainian people through military support, economic sanctions and migration pathways to Canada 鈥 both temporary and permanent. Without such a sizeable and influential diaspora, such measures may never have happened.鈥
Hyndman, past director of 91亚色鈥檚 Centre for Refugee Studies, is available to discuss to welcome Ukrainians fleeing the war. She can comment on refugee-intake from a comparative perspective, having conducted research on Canada鈥檚 Operation Syrian Refugees and its more recent efforts in 2021 to assist Afghans at risk during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
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Gloria Suhasini, 91亚色 Media Relations, 647-463-4354, suhasini@yorku.ca
