Petition to grant permanent residency to Ukrainians in Canada
Thousands of people who have been living in the country for over three years under temporary programs cannot obtain permanent resident status.
The Canadian Parliament website has published electronic petition e-6866, which calls on the government to create a special pathway to permanent residence for people who came to Canada through temporary emergency immigration programs. The petition concerns thousands of people who have been living and working in the country for over three years but cannot obtain permanent resident status through existing programs.
Who the petition affects
The petition focuses on people who came to Canada through humanitarian programs, such as CUAET and other similar emergency measures. These people have been legally living and working in the country for over three years, contributing to the Canadian economy, paying taxes, filling labor shortages, and integrating into local communities.
The CUAET program was launched in 2022 in response to military aggression against Ukraine and allowed Ukrainians and their families to temporarily move to Canada. Since its launch, tens of thousands of people have used the program, many of whom have lived in the country for a considerable time and want to stay permanently.
What's the problem
Despite the fact that these people have successfully settled in Canada and proven their value to the country, many of them face serious obstacles when trying to obtain permanent residence. The petition highlights several key problems faced by participants in temporary humanitarian programs.
First, many cannot access permanent residence through existing programs due to reduced quotas for provincial nominations. Provincial Nominee Programs have become less accessible due to restrictions introduced by the federal government. Second, age restrictions in the Comprehensive Ranking System work against older candidates, even if they are qualified professionals with Canadian work experience. Third, some critically important occupations that these people work in don't fall under categories that qualify for immigration through main economic programs.
Humanitarian programs and family reunification programs, which could be alternatives, have limited scope, are often closed to new applications, or are so overwhelmed that waiting times become unpredictably long.
What the petition demands
The petition authors point out that Canada already has precedents for introducing temporary pathways to permanent residence for people from regions facing political or humanitarian crises. An example given is the permanent residence program for Hong Kong residents, launched in 2021 in response to political changes in the region.
The petition argues that people who arrived through temporary humanitarian programs remain just as valuable to the Canadian workforce and communities as those who have access to traditional immigration pathways. Their long-term contribution deserves recognition and stability in the form of the opportunity to obtain permanent status.
Signing deadlines
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Petition e-6866 was opened for signing on October 15, 2025 at 1:14 PM Eastern Time. Signature collection will continue until February 12, 2026 at 1:14 PM Eastern Time. This gives several months to collect enough signatures and draw government attention to the issue.
Electronic petitions on the Canadian Parliament website can be signed by Canadian citizens and residents of the country. This means that participants in the CUAET program and other temporary humanitarian programs who legally reside in Canada have the right to sign this petition. There are no age restrictions for signing petitions.
Context and significance of the petition
The situation with CUAET program participants and other humanitarian initiatives raises the question of how Canada treats people whom the country invited under emergency circumstances. These people came when their countries or regions were threatened, they found work, started paying taxes, and integrated into Canadian society. Now they find themselves in uncertainty, having no clear path to staying in the country permanently.
For many participants in humanitarian programs, returning to their country of origin is not a safe or desirable option. They have built new lives in Canada, their children attend Canadian schools, they have acquired Canadian work experience and connections in local communities. The lack of a pathway to permanent residence creates stress and uncertainty for thousands of families.
The petition also draws attention to the broader question of immigration system fairness. If Canada invites people in emergency situations and they successfully integrate into society, is it logical to leave them without the possibility of obtaining permanent status? The petition authors believe this is unfair and inconsistent with Canadian values of compassion and inclusiveness.
What could happen next
After the petition closes for signing, it will be presented to the House of Commons of Canada. If the petition gathers enough signatures and attracts attention, the government will be obligated to provide an official response to the issues raised. This doesn't guarantee policy changes, but creates an opportunity for public discussion of the problem.
Parliamentarians can use the petition as a basis for questions to the immigration minister or for broader debates about immigration policy. Public attention and media coverage can also influence government decisions. In the past, petitions and public pressure have led to changes in Canada's immigration policy.
If you are a Canadian citizen or resident of the country (including CUAET program participants) and support the idea of providing a pathway to permanent residence for participants in temporary humanitarian programs, you can sign the petition on the official House of Commons website.
If you're considering other options for obtaining permanent residence in Canada, book a consultation with our specialists.
