My wife, my children and I were all born in different countries. But Canada is the best place on Earth
First Person | Itrat Anwar | for CBC News | Posted: May 11, 2025 11:00 AM | Last Updated: May 11
'We often joke that we're a little "United Nations" under one roof,' writes Itrat Anwar
This First Person article is the experience of Itrat Anwar, a newcomer to Canada who now calls Steinbach, Man., his home. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see this FAQ. You can read more First Person articles here.
As I reflect on our journey, I am reminded not only of how far we've come, but also of the many others in this country — each with their own unique paths — who, like us, are building new lives in Canada.
My name is Itrat and I live in Steinbach, Man., with my family.
Originally from Bangladesh, I am proud to share my life with my wife, Halyna, who hails from Ukraine. Together, we have two wonderful children: our older daughter was born in Slovakia and our younger one was born right here in Canada.
Our family spans four countries, and we often joke that we're a little "United Nations" under one roof. With a Canadian-born child in our family, we feel even more deeply connected to this land we now call home.
Our journey to Canada began when the Russian invasion of Ukraine started in February 2022.
My wife Halyna, who was pregnant at the time, was visiting her mother in Ukraine just a few days before the war began. Tragically, her mother passed away from a heart attack two days before the invasion. The combination of her pregnancy, the overwhelming loss of her mother, and the daily threat of war — including having to run to a basement during air raid alarms — left her in a deeply traumatic situation.
Given the situation, we decided to move from Dubai, where we were living, to Bangladesh, so that my wife could recover. Her health was our top priority. While in Bangladesh, she had the opportunity to meet my parents, my brother and other relatives, and feel the warmth of their love and kindness. Her days were filled with meeting new people, learning new things, tasting traditional foods and experiencing rural life in Bangladesh.
We had everything we needed in Bangladesh — except a safer and better future for our kids.
We then decided to move to Slovakia, because my wife had residency there, and we needed access to reliable health care and insurance during her pregnancy.
During this time, our first child was born in Bratislava — one of the most challenging yet precious moments of our lives.
It wasn't easy. We had no steady income and, as first-time parents, we were navigating everything on our own, without a support network. Life as a new immigrant in Europe was very different from what we would later experience in Canada. The systems were harder to access, the support less visible, and at times, we felt completely alone.
Then we learned about the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel program and decided to apply. (Moving to Canada wasn't our first plan. Before the war broke out, we had always discussed settling in Ukraine and raising our family there.)
Shortly after, we received our Canadian visas, and we began applying for our daughter's passport and Canadian visa.
Warm welcomes and challenges
At this point, we had all the necessary documents, but after five months of living in Europe without work permits, we were running out of money. We were down to our last few hundred euros when we bought our tickets to Canada.
When we finally arrived in Canada, we had only $500 left to our name. Travelling with a four-month-old baby, with so little money and so many uncertainties about our future, was incredibly difficult. The cold Canadian winter greeted us immediately upon our arrival at Toronto Pearson International Airport, and we found ourselves wondering what to do next. We found a place to live in Mississauga, Ont., and focused on finding my first job.
We were blessed to meet kind, supportive people … who helped us settle in Steinbach. - Itrat Anwar
The first thing we noticed here in Canada was the people — their kindness, their willingness to help, and how they respond to your "hi" with a friendly smile.
But there were also challenges. We found it difficult to adjust to the public transportation system. You need your own vehicle here. I remember how we walked with our baby in a stroller on pedestrian paths covered in icy snow. Sometimes, my wife and I had to lift the stroller to cross those areas.
I dreamed of securing a job that would align with my background and skill set. But finding work was a struggle. With no Canadian work experience and no driver's licence, I began applying for at least 10 jobs a day. Over the course of two months, I sent out hundreds of job applications.
I found my first job in Steinbach. While it didn't align with my background, I took the opportunity because we had reached the end of our patience.
Within two days, we made the move to Steinbach from Mississauga. Though we didn't know anyone in this small city and had little more than our baby and a dream, we felt that despite all the uncertainty, we had come this far and could manage — and we did.
We were blessed to meet kind, supportive people (like Nick Mazerolle, the Brand family and many others) who helped us settle in Steinbach. They are all truly wonderful people.
Life as a new immigrant is never easy. Being far from home, separated from relatives, and facing constant uncertainty — these challenges can feel overwhelming. I've faced racism, discrimination and inequality.
There are moments when we find ourselves longing for the vibrant life in Dubai, the stunning architecture of Europe, and our home countries, where our parents have yet to meet their grandchildren.
But we are incredibly grateful to be here. We recognize that life here is much better than in some European countries. I'm committed to supporting marginalized communities and helping create a more inclusive future for our children.
I have a better job now. We own a vehicle, live in a nice house and are excited to raise our family in this beautiful country. From its breathtaking landscapes to its welcoming communities, Canada has already captured our hearts.
As we continue to learn about and explore the beauty of this land, I have a strong desire to visit different regions and deepen our understanding of its rich history — especially the stories of Indigenous peoples and their profound connection to this land.
Our experiences across different continents have shown us that Canada is, without a doubt, the best place on Earth.