The Post-1991 Project

 

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union and Ukraine's declaration of independence in 1991, immigration from Ukraine to Canada has steadily risen, to a point that some have labeled it the "Fourth Wave". Yet, estimated to be in excess of 60,000 arrivals since 1991, the so-called Fourth Wave of Ukrainians in Canada has been little-understood and certainly understudied.

To date, there is no comprehensive study that captures the ways this group of post-1991 immigrants from Ukraine have adapted to Canada, nor how they have integrated into the pre-existing Ukrainian communities of Canada. We have little understanding of the broader economic trajectories and settlement experiences of this group over multiple years, across different immigration categories, and in different geographical and sociocultural settings.

The Post-1991 Project aims to fill this gap in our knowledge. Over a three year research period, this project will assess the long-term (30 year) socio-economic portrait and integration patterns of post-1991 Ukrainian immigrants to Canada, both in comparison to other similarly-situated immigrant populations and to the median Canadian population. This study is a longitudinal analysis of the socio-economic integration of immigrants from Ukraine to Canada since 1991, and will examine labour market participation, income, and patterns of social mobility. Additionally, the project aims to provide a reflexive view of the relationship between Ukrainian Canadian communities, their organizations, and newcomer Ukrainian immigrants.

The Post-1991 Project is established and funded by the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Alberta, in collaboration with McMaster University and St. Thomas More College at the University of Saskatchewan.

 

Project Principal Investigators

Dr. Natalia Khanenko-Friesen (Director - Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta)

Dr. Victor Satzewich (Professor of Sociology - McMaster University)

Dr. Monica Hwang (Associate Professor of Sociology - St. Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan)

 

On 7 October 2021, a 'First Impressions' presentation on the Post-1991 Project's preliminary findings took place. Watch the presentation below.