A University of Saskatchewan student who fled the war in Ukraine is joining forces with the Saskatchewan NDP to urge the provincial government to reverse its plans to terminate a crucial tuition-support program. The initiative currently allows students like Ivan Teteria to pay domestic tuition rates, but its scheduled end coincides with a critical federal immigration deadline, casting a shadow of uncertainty over their academic futures in Canada.
Student's Plea for a Future in Canada
Ivan Teteria arrived in Saskatoon with his family in November 2022, having escaped from a region near Kyiv. Last fall, he was able to enroll in political studies at the University of Saskatchewan thanks to the provincial Ukrainian Student Tuition Relief Program. This program is a lifeline for individuals and families who came to Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET), allowing them to pay domestic rather than international tuition fees.
Teteria's ability to continue his education is directly tied to this program. He expressed his profound concern during a press conference organized by the Saskatchewan NDP outside the constituency office of the Minister of Advanced Education. "I directly depend on it. My future depends on it," Teteria stated. "I intend to stay in Canada, build my future here, and my degree is going to help me do that."
Conflicting Messages and a Looming Deadline
The central point of contention is a March 31, 2026, cutoff date. This is the same day that the federal CUAET program requires Ukrainians to apply for other forms of legal status in Canada. A letter from the University of Saskatchewan, provided by NDP MLA Keith Jorgenson's office, explicitly informs a student that the provincial tuition support will end on that very date.
The letter reads, "You will continue to be automatically enrolled in this program as long as you are registered in classes until the program's end date of March 31, 2026. The last semester that will be covered by the program is the winter term, January 2026." This communication has led students and the opposition to believe the program is being eliminated.
However, the provincial government insists the program is not being cut but is merely "under review." In an emailed statement, the government said, "There is still funding to this program while the ministry is currently reviewing this program on how the government should proceed." The statement also highlighted that the government has invested approximately $500,000 to support 33 Ukrainian students as of the 2024-25 academic year.
Uncertainty Poses Challenge for Prospective Students
As the 2026 deadline approaches, Teteria points out that the uncertainty creates significant challenges not just for current students, but also for Ukrainian high schoolers planning their post-secondary education. These students need clarity well in advance to navigate the time-consuming application processes for the correct permits and university admission for the September 2026 semester.
The situation places the academic aspirations and future stability of dozens of young Ukrainians in Saskatchewan in a state of limbo. The call from the NDP and students like Ivan Teteria is for the government to provide certainty by committing to an extension of the tuition relief program, ensuring that those who sought safety in Canada can continue to build their lives and contribute to their new communities through education.
