Ukraine’s Global Migration: The effect on Ukrainian bilingual education in Western Canada

On 10 March 2026, the Ukrainian Language Education Centre (ULEC) hosted a webinar titled "Ukraine’s Global Migration: The Effect on Ukrainian Bilingual Education in Western Canada," presented by Nadia Prokopchuk. The session explored how recent migration from Ukraine has reshaped the landscape of Ukrainian-English bilingual education in Western Canada and highlighted both the opportunities and the challenges that have emerged in schools since February 2022.

The webinar had two parts. In part one the speaker presented a brief overview of the Ukrainian language that evolved in Canada and how it became the foundation for language development in the Ukrainian Bilingual Program in Western Canada. In part two Ms. Prokopchuk focused on the influence of the growing number of displaced newcomer children from Ukraine on these programs. While many schools initially welcomed the increase in enrolment, provided by children of forced migrants, the rapid shift in demographics soon revealed a number of difficulties. Schools found themselves responding to a student population with very different language backgrounds, educational needs, and family expectations, often without the curriculum, resources, or staffing needed to do so effectively.

Along with outlining these challenges, the speaker shared initiatives aimed at supporting educators and helping schools adapt to these changing realities. Overall, the webinar offered valuable insight into an important issue that continues to shape Ukrainian bilingual education across Western Canada.

If you were unable to attend the webinar, you can watch the recording on the ULEC YouTube channel. Please feel free to share the recording with colleagues, educators, parents, and others who may be interested in this important topic.