Canadian who moved his family to Russia for ‘traditional values’ says he no longer recommends it: permanent residency would require signing a Defense Ministry contract — Meduza
meduza.io
Canadian farmer Arend Feenstra, who moved to Russia through a streamlined immigration program for citizens of “unfriendly” countries who share “traditional values,” has complained that he cannot get a permanent residence permit. The news outlet Nizhny Novgorod Onlain drew attention to his YouTube video.

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/11690348

Canadian farmer Arend Feenstra, who moved to Russia through a streamlined immigration program for citizens of “unfriendly” countries who share “traditional values,” has complained that he cannot get a permanent residence permit. The news outlet Nizhny Novgorod Onlain drew attention to his YouTube video.

Feenstra received a three-year temporary residence permit in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region in early 2025. He then brought his wife and eight children to Russia and began farming.

But Feenstra has now learned that to replace his temporary residence permit with a permanent one, he must sign a contract with Russia’s Defense Ministry.

“I didn’t come here to sign a contract […] I have eight young children […] I’d rather take my chances in Canada, though I think living there is risky too,” Feenstra said.

…

He also said his family no longer recommends that other foreigners move to Russia because the authorities keep changing the rules and “there’s no way forward.”

Archived

  • Jay@lemmy.caEnglish
    251·
    11 days ago

    Aww poor guy. Is there somewhere we can donate to buy him some sunflower seeds to stuff in his pockets? /s

  • Helix 🧬@feddit.orgEnglish
    23·
    11 days ago

    What “traditional values” can you have so that you think you must move to Russia instead of staying in Canada?

    How is living in Canada risky?!

    • Jay@lemmy.caEnglish
      6·
      11 days ago

      I guess it’s dangerous to let others have the freedom to be happy and just be themselves. That kind of thing might rub off on his family you know. /s

    • motionofethre@piefed.socialEnglish
      5·
      11 days ago

      Gay Muslim trans immigrants trying to push Muslim transgenderism on his family.

      Its a thing. Look it up. Jesus told me to watch out for it.

  • thesdev@feddit.orgEnglish
    231·
    11 days ago

    Ah a classic case of hating democracy but also a strange dislike for doing things the man at the top dictates you to do.

      • Mika@piefed.caEnglish
        2·
        11 days ago

        Ukraine will restore democratic process after the war, russia never had it.

        • LocalAreaMan@lemmy.worldBanned from communityEnglish
          16·
          11 days ago

          Ah yes, victory or death. No democratic human right of self determination, just blind fascist serfdom.

          Even by Western polling, Putin has massive support among the Russian people. Zelensky defeated the Banderites at the poll on the promise of peace through the Minsk Agreement, yet found himself powerless to stop the Azov Battalion from shelling civilians in the Donetsk City Center.

          Democracy to you seems like a privilege enjoyed on the backs of the oppressed, while a selective cudgel weaponized to steal natural resources abroad.

          This all started with a U.S. bankrolled fascist coup against a democratically elected leader.

          When you undermine democracy anywhere you undermined democracy everywhere, especially at home. Maidan made Jan6 look like a cosplay convention in comparison.

          You don’t get to determine whether people on the other side of the world “voted wrong”. Just let people vote.

  • Mika@piefed.caEnglish
    15·
    11 days ago

    Isn’t serving in the military also a part of traditional values? Guy is obviously just too woke /s