Just like three years ago, Ukrainians gathered outside Kelowna City Hall on Monday.
Maksym Maksvchuk, 17, recalled the day he received military training when Russia launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine in February 2022.
“We hid in a large basement and heard that the rockets were passing by, maybe on the next street,” Maksvchuk said.
Since then, he has fled their homes just like more than 8 million other Ukrainians.
“When you hear them see their house no longer exists, people lose everything, they’re completely starting to live here. They’re happy to have kids.
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Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Russian leaders to keep Ukraine out.
The meeting was because Trump mistakenly accused Ukraine of starting a war.
“I heard today, 'Oh, we didn't invite,' you've been there for three years and you should end it, you should never start, you should make a deal,” Trump said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau doubled his support for Canada on Monday, pledging $5 billion in aid to Ukraine.
“We must do everything we can to achieve just and lasting peace in Ukraine, which is a peace that cannot be achieved without Ukrainians on the dining table,” Trudeau said.
Back in Kelowna, refugees fear that the looming visa renewal deadline could send many people back to Ukraine.
“The IRCC is aware of the difficulties and delays what Ukrainian customers are experiencing in renewing their passports, and these delays can be raised directly to the Ukrainian consul,” the Immigration Canada Ministry of Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship said in a statement.
But the delay puts Maksvchuk at risk of being sent back to Ukraine, which means fighting close to the frontline.
“I'll be with my dad, so that's a good thing,” he said.
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