1984: A LOOK BACK: Dramatic defection from Poland (12/30/84)

1984: A LOOK BACK

Dramatic defection from Poland

Perhaps the most dramatic story of 1984 was the mass defection on July 19 of 119 Ukrainians from Poland while on a religious pilgrimage to the Vatican. The refugees, who said the reason for their defection was discrimination against the Ukrainian minority in Poland, were on their way to Rome by bus when they made a detour to Austria's main refugee camp in Traiskirchen, some 25 miles south of Vienna, and asked for political asylum.

The group consisted of young men and women in their 20s and 30s, most of whom expressed a desire to emigrate to Canada.

Canada agreed to accept the defectors, and groups of the Ukrainians began arriving in Canada in late October - thanks to the efforts of the Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society.

The first group of 30 arrived in Toronto on October 25 and was enthusiastically welcomed by area Ukrainians, including members of the University of Toronto Ukrainian Students Club.

The rest of the group of defectors arrived in small groups during October and November. The Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society did its utmost to acquaint the newcomers with life in Canada, and provide jobs and housing.