Supporting Ukrainians in Canada

---

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Olha Senyshyn has been actively involved in providing free legal information, public education, and direct legal support to thousands of Ukrainians seeking safety and stability in Canada.

As a Ukrainian-speaking immigration, refugee, and family lawyer, Olha has delivered webinars, published educational resources, managed national legal assistance programs, and worked with community organizations across Canada to help newcomers understand and navigate Canadian immigration law.

Olha was recognized by UDONATION among the Top 50 Fellows supporting Ukraine for her contributions to assisting displaced Ukrainians and community advocacy efforts.

Since February 2022, immediately following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Olha helped organize and deliver a national series of free legal information webinars for Ukrainians in Canada.

Olha initiated the creation of a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Canadian visa  and recorded instructional videos in both English and Ukrainian on how to apply under the Canada–Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program. Published by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, these resources have been viewed more than 100,000 times and helped thousands of Ukrainians navigate the application process and relocate to Canada.

Since June 2022 Olha Senyshyn has been a Program Lawyer managing the Canadian Legal Support for Ukrainians initiative operated by Pro Bono Ontario. The program provides free legal information, referrals, and support to Ukrainians across Canada and abroad on immigration applications, refugee claims, work permits, family sponsorships, housing and employment issues, family law matters, and access to legal services. As one of Canada's largest legal assistance initiatives for displaced Ukrainians, the program has helped thousands of individuals navigate complex legal issues. Since June 2022, Olha has personally provided more than 4,000 free legal consultations to Ukrainians and their family members and continues to support the Ukrainian newcomer community through legal education, public information sessions, and legal representation.

Since 2022, Olha has collaborated with numerous community organizations, settlement agencies, and social service providers to deliver free legal education sessions for Ukrainian newcomers.

Topics have included:

• Immigration status and extensions 
• CUAET benefits and eligibility 
• Work permits and employment rights 
• Refugee claims 
• Humanitarian and Compassionate applications 
• Family sponsorship 
• Citizenship pathways 
• Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs) 
• Access to legal aid and community resources 

Partner organizations have included:

• Ukrainian Canadian Congress branches
• Ukrainian Canadian Social Services 
• Community legal clinics 
• Settlement agencies across Ontario and other provinces, including British Columbia, Alberta, New Brunswick, Newfounland and Labrador, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. 

In 2025, Olha recorded a series of free online videos to help Ukrainians in Canada extend their work permits and maintain legal status. Published by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, these step-by-step guides received more than 60,000 views and helped thousands of Ukrainian newcomers navigate Canada's immigration system. Olha also created educational resources for Ukrainians experiencing passport-related challenges outlining available options to remain legally in Canada. These resources continue to serve as a trusted source of immigration information for Ukrainian newcomers across Canada.

Today, Olha continues to assist Ukrainians across Canada through CGS LAW by providing representation and advice in:

• Humanitarian and Compassionate applications 
• Spousal and family sponsorships 
• Refugee claims 
• Judicial reviews and Federal Court matters 
• Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs) 
• Work permit and visitor status extensions 
• Citizenship and proof of citizenship applications 
• Family law matters 
• Foreign Divorce opinion letters

Olha accepts Legal Aid Ontario certificates for eligible refugee, immigration, and family law matters.

Since 2022, Olha's public education efforts, webinars, community presentations, and legal assistance programs have helped thousands of Ukrainian newcomers better understand their rights and options in Canada.