‘I have no idea how I will pack my whole new life into a suitcase and start a new life again,’ says Romana Svechka, who, along with her husband Vladimir and 14-year-old daughter Leila, has set roots in Parry Sound since fleeing the Ukraine-Russia war
A Parry Sound family known for its involvement in the community is now facing deportation to Russia—leaving them scared and uncertain about the future.
Romana Svechka, 45, her husband Vladimir, 54, and their 14-year-old daughter Leila have been living in Parry Sound since early 2023.
Romana is originally from Ukraine, and Vlad is Russian. They fled Eastern Europe seeking safety and a better life.
“I left before … but my husband and my daughter left Russia because the war started,” she explained to BayToday.
The Rotary Club of Parry Sound Revival has been a key player in the family’s settling in Parry Sound.
“When my husband got his visa to Canada, he posted his resume on Facebook,” she said.
“They connected him and said there’s a job available … he was actually on a plane when they texted him if he would like to have an interview with the company he’s working for now. He got the job basically the next day when he came to Canada.”
Over time, they established a new life and gave back to Rotary with volunteering, though their work permit ran out, and they were advised to seek a refugee claim. But now they are at risk of being forced back to Russia.
“We didn’t know what else to do,” she said. “The only option that seemed possible was refugee status.”
Their refugee claim was rejected in the middle of last month.
“It said we’re ineligible,” she stated. “Our documents were sent to the border, and now we are just waiting to find out when we have to leave.”
The family has no passports—those were surrendered during the application process—and no home to return to.
“We did sell our house in Russia, so we have nowhere to go,” she said. “It’s dangerous because I’m Ukrainian, and it’s a problem for my daughter because she’s half Ukrainian.”
Romana says they could be ordered to leave Canada at any moment.
“It could be any day,” she said. “They’ll just call or send a letter saying what day and time we need to be at the border.”
Despite their immigration struggles, the Svechka family has made Parry Sound its home. Romana runs a small business offering Ukrainian and European food, and works as a home support worker, and Vladimir is a plumber. Leila recently graduated with honours from Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic School and received a humanitarian award.
“We are already settled here,” she said. “We got a nice apartment, we bought furniture, we got a car, we have a full-time job, and we volunteer. My daughter was hoping to go to high school and continue dance and art classes.”
Romana says she’s afraid of what comes next. “It’s very scary because we don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow,” she explained.
“I have no idea how I will pack my whole new life into a suitcase and start a new life again. And who knows where. With Russian passports, we’re not welcome in many places, unfortunately.”
Rotary has launched a fundraiser to help the family afford legal support.
“This is a family who’s done everything right,” President Rick Cain said in a release. “They’ve given so much to our community. Now, they need our help.”
Romana remains hopeful.
“I hope we can stay and do something good for this country,” she said. “You live this life only once. You have to live it good in order to get good back from people.”
Donations to support the Svechka family can be made through the Rotary’s website.