Why Canada Should Resist Passport-Based Immigration for Ukrainians
Since February 2022, Alberta has welcomed numerous Ukrainians fleeing conflict, many of whom have contributed significantly to the province's economy and society. These individuals have filled critical labor shortages, enrolled in educational programs, and worked diligently to rebuild their lives under tremendous strain. They deserve serious consideration regarding their future status in Canada, as temporary residency provides an unstable foundation for long-term planning such as raising children, purchasing homes, or building sustainable careers.
The Slippery Slope of Nationality-Based Selection
However, a current proposal to loosen permanent residency rules specifically for Ukrainians by reserving a portion of provincial nominations for one nationality represents a concerning shift in Canadian immigration policy. This approach risks undermining decades of reform that have made Canada's immigration system more legitimate, competitive, and less discriminatory. Before the 1960s, Canadian immigration regulations explicitly allowed officials to prefer certain nationalities while excluding others, creating a system based on heritage rather than merit.
In 1962, under Conservative Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, Canada deliberately moved away from this "country-first" selection model. The government implemented a universal points system that assessed economic immigrants using standardized criteria including education, language proficiency, age, and occupational skills. This revolutionary approach replaced nationality and racial considerations with transparent, merit-based selection grounded in human capital evaluation.
If Alberta creates permanent residency pathways based on nationality, even with the best intentions, it represents a drift back toward the old logic where some passports receive preferential treatment while others must wait in regular queues. This creates significant legitimacy problems rather than representing a minor policy adjustment.
Emergency Response Versus Permanent Selection
Canada has already demonstrated substantial support through emergency measures. Following Russia's full-scale invasion, Ottawa established the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program to facilitate rapid movement of people, allowing Ukrainians to work, study, and remain temporarily while the situation evolved. Although CUAET applications closed on July 15, 2023, extensions and in-Canada measures continue for those already present.
The real question now centers on how to support stability without transforming a wartime evacuation program into a nationality-based permanent immigration pathway. A passport set-aside system collides with two important realities that deserve careful consideration.
Demographic Concerns and Political Precedents
First, even proponents acknowledge that "wholesale" permanent status for Ukrainians could inadvertently support Russian President Vladimir Putin's efforts to depopulate Ukraine. Ukraine faces severe demographic challenges, and prolonged displacement makes eventual return increasingly difficult. Canada should exercise caution to avoid designing policies that could be perceived as targeted "raids" on a country attempting to rebuild its population and infrastructure.
Second, establishing nationality quotas creates dangerous precedents that can be easily weaponized in future political debates. Once "PR-by-passport" mechanisms exist, discussions inevitably shift toward determining "deserving versus undeserving" nationalities, potentially leading to uglier political dynamics that Canada has wisely avoided importing.
Fairness Considerations in Immigration Policy
Significant fairness issues also emerge when considering nationality-based permanent residency pathways. Many other temporary residents—who work diligently, pay taxes, and establish roots in Canadian communities—currently wait in crowded permanent residency queues. Displaced individuals from other global conflicts did not receive CUAET-style fast lanes, making passport preferences difficult to justify on equitable grounds.
Canada's immigration system has evolved to prioritize transparent, merit-based criteria that evaluate individuals on their potential contributions rather than their country of origin. Maintaining this principle ensures fairness while supporting Canada's economic and social development through skilled immigration that benefits all Canadians.
