Canadian immigration officials in foreign countries have often refused visitor visas to people wanting to come to Canada.
The arbitrary process has often resulted in many genuine visitors being denied entry. Cases, where relatives who intend to come to Canada for weddings, funerals or religious meetings have come to light. Often, unsuccessful applicants have been left with no recourse.
New Democratic Party (NDP) immigration critic Olivia Chow (Triinity-Spadina, Ontario) and Victoria, BC, MP Denies Savoie are demanding changes to the approval process.
“Denying entry to people who simply wish to celebrate at weddings or remember loved ones at funerals, with no reasonable explanations is cruel not only to them, but also to their friends and families,” said Chow.
Savoie recounted a recent case in which eleven Burmese participants in an annual Anglican faith exchange were refused visitors’ visas, in spite of a commitment by the Anglican Diocese of BC and a 12-year record of all participants returning home without incident. Savoie appealed directly to the Minister’s office but was refused.
“If the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration is unwilling to take the word of Canadian church officials about a group of priests with unbreakable ties to their home parishes, then what hope does an ordinary citizen have in sponsoring their family member to visit Canada?” asked Savoie.
Chow is asking the government to establish a free and fair appeals process, and a transparent process for refusals.
“Decisions appear to be made on a whim, and refusals seem to be more likely for applicants who are not from European countries,” said Chow.

“Without a free appeals process, like in the UK and Australia, applicants are left high and dry. They don’t have their visa and they don’t have their money.”
Chow encourages all Canadians who have experienced unfair temporary resident’s visa (visitor visa) denial to post their stories on the "Facebook Group Calling for Visitor Visa Fairness" at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=146820607390.