Igor Yushchenko grew up in Ukraine where he practised law. In 2011, Dalhousie University in Halifax accepted him into its master of laws program. Upon graduating, Yushchenko established his IY Law Firm, and now works with Noseworthy Di Costanzo Diab Law, both in Halifax. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, he and his office focused on helping Ukrainians reach safety in Canada, about 150 families so far. Last year, Dalhousie presented Yushchenko with an Aurum Award, given to community-minded alumni making a difference at home and abroad. Saltscapes spoke with Yushchenko about rotten apples, pro bono work, and beautiful sunrises.
Tell me about your parents.
Both were accountants. My brother, Slava, he’s an accountant as well. I’m like a rotten apple (laughs). I betrayed my family’s tradition.
Why did you stray from the family path and study law?
As a kid, you want to change the world. In Ukraine, there is a lot of corruption, so I thought, I’ll be the guy who changes the situation, and the legal field will be the most useful for that. I wanted to be a public prosecutor.
How did corruption become so bad in Ukraine?
We were a communist country. Imagine the 1990 collapse of the Soviet Union. Everyone started taking bribes just to survive. It’s improving, but we have free medicine, for example. If you go to the hospital, they say, sorry, we don’t have a cast, but when you pay money, they find it right away.
Is that why you left Ukraine to study in Canada?
I got an internship in a court and realized I don’t think I’ll be able to change anything. One of the largest Ukrainian communities is in Canada, it’s very open to immigrants, the health system is free, the judicial system is a proper one. For me, those are very important indicators. Dalhousie accepted me, so I was happy.
Why did you stay in Canada after graduation?
My classmate said there’s no way the immigrant will become a lawyer in Canada. It doesn’t matter how difficult it is, how many obstacles on my path, I will overcome them. I’m a fighter. If he didn’t say that, I would probably be in Ukraine right now.
You stayed here out of stubbornness, then.
I’m a Capricorn (laughs). People say that I’m arguing all the time. My dad is like that.
Did your fighting spirit help you get your mom and dad out of Ukraine?
That was a nightmare for me. February 24, 2022, when the war started was my dad’s birthday. My brother came to celebrate with them. All three fled. It takes them three days to cross the border. Phone doesn’t work. Rockets go everywhere.
You’ve helped more than your own family, I understand.
First six months, 90 per cent of my work was to help. I had conversation with the government every single day. We processed a lot of applications, and the vast majority pro bono. Within a month, Canadian government created Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, a phenomenal program. Canada was the first that imposed sanctions and took leadership in support of Ukraine worldwide.
Still, you’ve seen a lot of trauma. How do you care for yourself?
Mentally, it’s difficult. It’s exhausting. You’re depressed for six months. Sometimes, when the weather is good, I drive to a park and just walk. Connect with nature and disconnect with society. Back in Ukraine we have a saying that you can appreciate in Canada. After every storm, there will be a beautiful sunrise.