Ukrainian family looks forward to calling Saskatchewan home

Right now, 16-year-old Volodimir Doskochynskiy, his 21-year-old sister Lydia and their mother Natalia are on a nine-hour charter flight coming from Poland directly to Regina’s airport.

The plane, scheduled to land late Monday afternoon, is also carrying about 230 other people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Speaking by telephone from their temporary shelter in Warsaw late Friday, Volodimir said he and his family are looking forward to starting a new life in Canada.

“Yes, of course. I know that I’ll be safe. It’s so scary when you hear sirens, and you hear rockets. It’s terrible,” he recalled about his home city.

The trio used to live near Lviv, in western Ukraine.

“I loved my hometown,” he said. “But we cannot stay.”

They heard about the humanitarian flight to Saskatchewan via relatives, and through the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. All they’re taking with them from their home are their clothes and some personal belongings.

“We will rely on Canadian people. We expect temporary housing … to get used to (the ) new conditions,” he said.

According to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, those on the flight will temporarily stay at locations in Regina.

Volodimir said they’re also hoping to find jobs as soon as possible.

“We’re looking for any offers. It could be any job. We’re just looking for everything — everything that we can get,” he explained.

He said he and his family are grateful for the opportunity to come to Canada.

“Yes, of course. Because finally I’ll be safe,” he said. “I want to return to Ukraine, but I think that nothing will be changed there. So, I’ll start a new life in Canada.”

Terry Dennis, the MLA for Canora-Pelly and legislative secretary for Saskatchewan-Ukraine relations, is to greet the plane at the Regina airport on Monday evening.

Mayor Sandra Masters and Elena Krueger, the president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, also are to be on hand when the plane arrives.

According to the provincial government, it’s expected the passengers will take at least three hours to complete all required customs processes before leaving the airport.

The Saskatchewan government repeatedly has said it will take in as many people from Ukraine as possible as they flee their home country due to the Russian invasion.

The government has taken steps to ease their transition, from allowing them to swap driver’s licences to offering to cover settlement costs for those staying in the province.

“Saskatchewan officials have been working with the Ukraine Embassy to Canada to co-ordinate assistance and support for Ukrainian citizens fleeing the ongoing war in their home country,” Dennis said in a release.

“In true Saskatchewan spirit, a number of community groups, organizations and individuals have also been spending hours and hours preparing to help these Ukrainian families and individuals settle into life in our province.”

The government said more than 1,000 displaced Ukrainians have arrived in Saskatchewan since the war in Ukraine began.

In addition to putting the group up at the U of R, the government has set up a settlement reception centre with translators. It also will feature personnel who will be able to issue Saskatchewan health cards to the Ukrainians, help them set up bank accounts and provide them with information about housing, employment, education, income assistance, community supports and more.