Difficult integration in Quebec for several Ukrainian families

Ukrainian families who arrived in Quebec to flee the war face many integration challenges.

Difficult integration in Quebec for several Ukrainian families

Ukrainian families who arrived in Quebec to flee the war face many integration challenges.

• To read also: The war in Ukraine, event of the year 2022 of the QMI Agency

• Read also: It allows the all-inclusive reception of 10 families of Ukrainian refugees

Whether it is to find a job or even to find accommodation, it is difficult to start from scratch in a new environment.

Arrived in Quebec six months ago, Redwan El Gazal cannot practice medicine, a profession he has practiced for several decades in Ukraine.

"I don't know why I can't do that here," he shared. That's one thing, but also finding accommodation is not easy here. We need friends to give us a guarantee. It is not easy."

Despite everything, the families met by TVA Nouvelles said they had received a lot of help from Quebecers, in particular from Quebecer Marie-Ève ​​Jalbert.

The latter works for the Randstad personnel recruitment firm and is a matchmaking sponsor for several Ukrainian families.

"I started as a volunteer at the start of the war," she explained. With my son, we placed several families in foster families.”

With the company for which she works, she then created the "Ukraine project", in which she dedicates herself with a colleague to supporting Ukrainians in their integration into a workplace, but also in their lives.

"We help them find an apartment, for example," she said. We also pair them with other volunteers who will help them complete documents and such.”

The problems faced by Ukrainian immigrants are particularly related to the recognition of employment, visas or even obtaining a driving license.

The language barrier can also be a big obstacle when newcomers speak neither English nor French.

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