（補足）カナダのパターン

カナダとウクライナの結び付きについてですが、ウクライナとロシアに次いで、カナダには多くのウクライナ系の人々が住んでおり、およそ140万人に上るとか。その経緯を丁寧に説明してくれている記事がありました。カナダ全体だと3%と僅かですが、マニトバなどのプレーリーの州では4割近くがウクライナ系が住んでいるそうです。

In the world’s second-largest Ukrainian diaspora, business is booming at Ukrainian-owned stores

March 12, 2022 6:00 AM GMT+9

Ukraine in Canada

Early in the 20th century, the Canadian government actively recruited Ukrainians with the promise of cheap farmland, hoping they would help settle the country’s three prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Around 150,000 Ukrainians immigrated to Canada from 1891 to 1914.

The second wave of Ukrainian immigration to Canada occurred between the World Wars, when Ukrainians, mostly from western Ukraine, fled to Canada to escape Polish rule. The aftermath of World War II sparked the third wave of Ukrainian immigrants into Canada.

The prairies are still home to the bulk of Ukrainian Canadians: Around 37% of all Canadians who identify as Ukrainian-born or having Ukrainian heritage reside in the three provinces that otherwise make up 3% of the country’s population. 

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Canada on March 3 announced a new immigration program for Ukrainians, which could spur a fourth wave of immigration. The new scheme will prioritize and expedite Ukrainians’ applications to enter Canada. All Ukrainians who apply will be eligible for work permits, the Canadian government said in a statement last Thursday. Canada will also streamline the reunification process for Ukrainian family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. “There will be no limit to the number of Ukrainians who can apply…and [the program] eliminates many of the normal visa requirements,” the government said.

ウクライナ系のカナダ人にとっては、エドモンドのチャーチル広場が爆撃されていると想像してくださいと言われれば、一層他人事には感じられなくなるでしょう。外国だとグラデーションやニュアンスを感じ取るのが難しいですが、せめてそのようなアンテナは立てるようにしておきたいですね。まあ今回のは後追いで知ったことですが。。。