Tetiana Melnyk, a Ukrainian immigrant who moved to Nova Scotia with her two children in March 2023, recently shared her story of struggling to cope with the high cost of living in Canada. Despite initially taking on three jobs to provide for her family, Melnyk found herself working long hours and still unable to make ends meet.
“After working for five months, I was able to bring my children to Canada,” she recounts. “But with the high expenses and long working hours, I realized it was not sustainable for us.”
Melnyk worked tirelessly from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. without any days off, sacrificing precious time with her children. Eventually, she made the difficult decision to return to her home country of Georgia, where she could manage with just one job and receive support from family members.
Her story sheds light on the challenges faced by immigrants in Atlantic Canada, despite the region experiencing a rapid increase in immigration over the past decade. The Atlantic Economic Council’s latest report highlights that while immigration rates have surged, retention remains weak, with only a 50% five-year retention rate.
Patrick Brannon, a senior researcher at the Atlantic Economic Council, acknowledges the obstacles immigrants encounter, including housing shortages and limited access to healthcare and education. Efforts to address these challenges are underway, with organizations like the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) working to support newcomers and integrate them into the workforce.
Nova Scotia Immigration Minister Jill Balser emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming environment and job opportunities for newcomers. Despite Melnyk’s departure, her time in Canada has left a lasting impact, illustrating both the opportunities and difficulties associated with immigration and settlement in a new country.