Canada continues to enjoy a very high level of positive perception among Ukrainians: in August 2026, 76.3% of respondents viewed the country positively, 19.2% neutrally, while negative assessments, based on the indicators listed in the table, totaled only 2.6%, according to the Experts Club Information and Analytical Center. In the published overall ranking of the survey, the net sentiment toward Canada stands at +73.8 percentage points.
According to the results of the August survey, 37.4% of Ukrainians have a completely positive attitude toward Canada, and 38.9% have a mostly positive attitude. 19.2% of respondents hold a neutral position. 2.2% view the country mostly negatively, 0.4% completely negatively, and another 2% were undecided.
Not only is the high total share of positive responses significant, but so is their breakdown: more than a third of respondents chose the most positive category—“entirely positive.” Based on the rounded figures in the table above, positive assessments outnumber negative ones by nearly 30 to 1.
In March 2026, the results were nearly identical. According to the published data from the previous survey wave, 76.2% of respondents viewed Canada positively: 39.4% viewed it “completely positively” and 36.8% viewed it “mostly positively.” 20.3% of respondents held a neutral position, 2.3% held a negative one, and another 1.2% were undecided.
Thus, over the course of five months, the overall share of positive assessments remained virtually unchanged—76.2% in March and 76.3% in August. At the same time, the share of “completely positive” responses decreased by 2 percentage points, while the share of “mostly positive” responses increased by 2.1 percentage points. The neutral segment shrank by 1.1 percentage points.
Oleksandr Pozniy, director of the research firm Active Group, commenting on the results of the previous wave, emphasized precisely the stability of this perception.
“Canada is among those countries toward which Ukrainians have formed not just a positive, but a consistently positive attitude. This is the result of long-term interaction, support, and a presence in the Ukrainian information space. In such cases, even neutral responses do not blur the overall picture but only underscore its consistency,” Pozniy noted.
The August wave confirms this stability: the total positive sentiment remained virtually at the March level, while the neutral group shrank slightly. According to the comprehensive survey conducted in August 2026, Canada had the highest positive balance among the countries covered by the survey.
ACTIVE GROUP, CANADA, EXPERTS CLUB, international relations, Pozniy, PUBLIC OPINION, SOCIOLOGY, UKRAINE
Canada ranked first among the world’s safest countries for tourist travel in 2027, according to the American insurance company Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP), rising from fifth place in the previous study. Montreal topped the city ranking, moving from 16th to first place, the Experts Club information and analytical center reports.
According to the annual Safest Destinations 2027 study, published on October 28, 2026, Canada scored 82.47 points, ahead of New Zealand (81.31) and Australia (80.82). Iceland (78.85) and Japan (78.73) completed the top five safest countries.
Austria, Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Portugal occupied the next positions. Overall, ten European countries were represented among the 15 safest tourist destinations.
The study’s authors highlighted Canada’s high level of personal safety, particularly for women, ethnic minorities and LGBT travelers. At the same time, large-scale wildfires, which can worsen air quality, were identified among potential risks.
Among the most notable changes in the country ranking were the Netherlands’ decline from first to eighth place, Norway’s rise from 23rd to 11th, Denmark’s improvement from 15th to ninth and Japan’s climb from ninth to fifth.
Montreal ranked first among the world’s safest cities with 82.18 points. Zurich took second place (81.03), followed by Amsterdam (80.81). Tokyo (79.91) and Reykjavik (78.90) completed the top five.
Montreal showed the greatest improvement among the leading cities, rising from 16th place in the 2026 ranking. Tokyo moved from ninth to fourth, Oslo from 17th to sixth, while Copenhagen dropped from second to 12th.
The BHTP ranking is based on surveys of American tourists who have personally visited the respective countries and cities, supplemented by international statistical indicators. The methodology considers crime levels, terrorism risks, transportation safety, access to healthcare and the protection of the rights of different population groups.
More than 1,500 respondents participated in the city survey, with the initial selection covering 38 popular tourist destinations.
Experts Club emphasizes that the ranking primarily reflects American tourists’ perceptions of safety rather than a universal assessment of living conditions or the business environment.
Ukraine and Serbia were not included among the 15 published leading countries, while Kyiv and Belgrade did not appear in the corresponding city ranking. However, absence from the list does not automatically indicate a low level of safety, as the study does not cover every country and city worldwide.
Edmonton, Canada. On October 28–31, 2026, the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS) at the University of Alberta hosted an international symposium titled Recentring the Humanities: Ukraine and the World. The three-day discussion centered on how the experiences of Ukraine and Ukrainians around the world are reshaping contemporary understandings of global history, society, and culture.
Following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine found itself at the center of international attention. Symposium participants examined how Ukraine’s growing geopolitical and cultural significance has influenced scholarly discourse itself.
Discussions focused, in particular, on whose testimonies historians rely on, how the experiences of indigenous peoples are reshaping notions of the nation, and the place of Ukrainian studies within the humanities. The symposium brought together internationally renowned scholars, human rights activists—including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviychuk—diplomats, and representatives of several international initiatives. The discussions in Edmonton were accessible online.
Historians Yaroslav Hrytsak and Serhii Plokhy, along with literary scholar Tamara Gundorova, opened the discussion on Ukraine and the global humanities. The discussion was moderated by KIUS Director Natalia Khanenko-Friesen. In the evening, Metropolitan Boris Gudziak delivered a lecture at the Horowitz Theater at the University of Alberta on the challenges and opportunities facing the global Ukrainian community.
A separate plenary session was dedicated to the indigenous peoples of Ukraine. Participants included Alim Aliyev, Rory Finnin, Martin-Oleksandr Kyslyi, and Yanush Panchenko. As Natalia Khanenko-Friesen explained, the inclusion of Crimean Tatar studies in the program reflected the broader question of how to define Ukrainian studies today.
“We deliberately paid special attention to the Crimean Tatar theme in the symposium program. Crimean Tatar studies are of fundamental importance to Ukrainian studies. Without them, it is impossible to rethink the very concept of Ukrainian studies. To understand who Ukrainians are, one must understand who the Crimean Tatars are and be familiar with the history and experiences of Ukraine’s other indigenous peoples and cultural communities,” said KIUS Director Natalia Khanenko-Friesen.
The issue of justice in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine was discussed by human rights activist Oleksandra Matviychuk, Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Refat Chubarov, and researcher Kristina Guk. Another plenary discussion, featuring historian Marcy Shore, philosopher Volodymyr Yermolenko, and literary scholar Vitaliy Chernetskyi, focused on how Ukraine’s experience is prompting scholars to rethink their approaches to understanding and interpreting the world.
Young scholars also presented their research in a “toloka” format. Separate sessions were devoted to the future of historical scholarship in Ukraine and to countering propaganda that uses the past as a weapon. A discussion on Ukraine’s place in the world, featuring Ukraine’s Ambassador to Canada Andriy Plakhotnyuk, Nataliya Tsmots, and Roman Vashchuk, was moderated by Volodymyr Sheyko, director of the Ukrainian Institute.
The symposium’s program was strategically designed. The organizers set a goal: to go beyond established academic discussions and offer a new perspective on Ukraine’s place in the global scientific and socio-political landscape.
That is why the thematic sessions brought together representatives from various academic disciplines, creating an opportunity to rethink how scientific discourse, public diplomacy, and international public debate are transforming under the influence of contemporary global challenges—above all, Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. The organizers sought not only to make sense of these changes but also to initiate an interdisciplinary dialogue capable of influencing the future development of Ukrainian studies and their place in the global humanities.
About CIUS. The Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies was established in 1976 at the University of Alberta with the support of the Ukrainian community in Canada and the Government of Alberta. As University President Bill Flanagan noted in his anniversary message, it was the first institute in Canada and the second in the Western world dedicated entirely to Ukrainian studies. Among its achievements are the English-language Encyclopedia of Ukraine and the English translation of Mykhailo Hrushevsky’s History of Ukraine-Rus. CIUS also supports research on the Holodomor, the teaching of the Ukrainian language, and the study of modern Ukraine.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced last Friday that his country will contribute 500 million euros to the European Union’s planned 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine, APA reports.
“As for the loan for Ukraine… 500 million euros will be our initial contribution. This is a very important and effective mechanism, and I truly commend the initiative of European Commission President von der Leyen, the members of the Commission, and President Costa in establishing it—using frozen assets to provide Ukraine with much-needed financing,” Carney stated during a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.
The Canadian Prime Minister noted that his country’s contribution is an example of the implementation of Canada’s recently announced partnership with the European Union, adding that it is a “positive alliance.”
The Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS) at the University of Alberta is celebrating its 50th anniversary. During this time, the institute has awarded at least 1,742 research honors, grants, and scholarships. Of these, 883—or about 51%—were awarded to Ukrainian scholars and institutions.
To mark the anniversary, the institute will host an international symposium titled “Recentring the Humanities: Ukraine and the World” (Recentring the Humanities: Ukraine and the World). It will take place October 28–30, 2026, in Edmonton, with the option to participate online upon prior registration.
Among the confirmed participants are Oleksandra Matviychuk, director of the Center for Civil Liberties; Refat Chubarov, chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People; historians Serhii Plokhy and Yaroslav Hrytsak; philosopher Volodymyr Yermolenko; and Metropolitan Borys Gudziak.
Participants will discuss how Ukraine’s experience—particularly its resistance to Russian aggression—is shaping international debates on history, human rights, democracy, and cultural identity.
A highlight of the symposium will be a lecture by Metropolitan Boris Gudziak titled “The World Has Never Been So Ukrainian: Challenges and Opportunities for the Global Ukrainian Community.” It will take place on October 28 at the Horowitz Theater at the University of Alberta to mark the 25th anniversary of the Bohdan Bociurkiw Memorial Lecture Series.
The program will be complemented by exhibitions on the history of the Ukrainian Canadian Institute of Studies (UCIS), the connection between George Orwell’s work and the Holodomor, and childhood on the Canadian prairies in the 1930s.
The symposium will open on October 28 at the University of Alberta. The main discussions on October 29–30 will take place at the Edmonton Convention Center.
The CIUS’s contribution to the development of Ukrainian humanities cannot be overstated: the CIUS currently comprises 11 research centers and programs. They study the Holodomor, medieval and early modern Ukrainian history, contemporary social processes, the Ukrainian language and methods of teaching it, as well as the history of Ukrainians in Canada and other countries.
One of the key areas of focus concerns the history of Ukrainian statehood. The Petro Yatsyk Center for Ukrainian Historical Studies, led by historian Frank Sysyn, is working on fundamental historical projects. The Institute also supports research on Baturyn, the former capital of the Hetmanate, as well as the publication and preservation of its historical heritage.
Crimean Tatar studies constitute a separate area of focus. Over the past two years, the KIUS has allocated more than half a million Canadian dollars—from its own funds and external grants—to their development. This work helps to present the history of Crimea through the lens of the peninsula’s indigenous people and to counter Russian imperial interpretations.
Among the institute’s long-term projects is the English-language Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine. It provides an international audience with scholarly, verified information on Ukrainian history, culture, and society. Through the Petro Yatsyk Program for the Study of Contemporary Ukraine and other academic initiatives, KIUS supports Ukrainian researchers, their publications, and international scholarly exchanges.
History and Interesting Facts
KIUS was founded in 1976 with the support of the provincial government, the University of Alberta, and the active participation of the Ukrainian community in Canada. Its mission is to study the history, language, culture, and society of Ukraine, as well as the Ukrainian experience beyond its borders.
The institute made its first payment to an institution in Ukraine in 1987–1988. The Central Scientific Library in Kyiv received $1,000 for catalogs of its newspaper collections.
As early as 1989–1990, the KIUS hosted nearly 100 scholars from Ukraine. The Institute became one of the hubs through which Ukrainian researchers established contacts with the academic community in North America. As early as 1989–1990, the KIUS hosted nearly 100 scholars from Ukraine. The Institute became one of the hubs through which Ukrainian researchers established contacts with the North American academic community. After 1990, Ukraine accounted for approximately 60% of all the Institute’s research awards, grants, and scholarships.
Cooperation also encompassed legislative reforms and the development of democratic institutions. Through the KIUS, a legislative project worth 4 million Canadian dollars was implemented from 1996 to 2000, and the CULIP program, worth approximately 4 million, was carried out from 2000 to 2003. A significant portion of the funding for both initiatives was provided by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Other areas of support included the Petro Yatsyk Program in Lviv, worth 1 million Canadian dollars, and a project to ensure the transparency of the 2004 elections, worth 250,000 Canadian dollars.
Natalia Hanenko-Friesen, Director of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, and Serhiy Tsipko, Deputy Director for Research, gave a tour of the exhibition dedicated to the 50th anniversary of CIUS to Bill Flanagan, President of the University of Alberta
Natalia Hanenko-Friesen, Director of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, leads a tour of the exhibition dedicated to the 50th anniversary of CIUS for Bill Flanagan, President of the University of Alberta.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the launch of a bilateral strategic partnership aimed at developing cooperation in the energy, defense, and economic sectors.
“Today, President Erdoğan and I launched the new Canada-Turkey Strategic Partnership to create significant new opportunities for our peoples,” Carney wrote on social media platform X on Thursday.
According to him, the cooperation will cover the energy sector, the extractive industries, climate initiatives, as well as security and defense issues. “We are deepening our ties to counter common threats and open new markets for our workers and businesses. This is an ambitious partnership for a safer and more prosperous future,” the Canadian prime minister emphasized.
Ukraine has close trade and economic ties with both countries: the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA) has been in effect since 2017 (with subsequent updates), while the free trade agreement with Turkey officially entered into force in 2026, significantly expanding access for Ukrainian goods to the markets of both strategic partners.
