relatives in Canada - confused what to answer

[missmini]

hey guys,

reading more around here i freaked out abt something; at the applicant question abt relatives in Canada we answered NO cuz it's NO BUT my partner does have a cousin of a cousin who got his Canadian PR...this indirect cousin is a Canadian PR but he does not live in Canada yet, he did not move full yet (maybe he will maybe he won't, i don't know), he goes for 1-2 months every year but without permanently moving...so my questions:

1. is cousin of cousin considered as a relative?
2. having permanent residency but not living (and no address on his name) is it considered living under their terms?

also this person is very close to us, we are very good friends and he did write a letter of support for us...should we still include his letter?

i don't want to make a big deal from nothing so if it's ok to live the answer as NO, it's better....but on the other hand, for sure i don't want them to say that we lied, we misrepresented, dual intent for immigration or who knows, from something so small and stupid

thanks for ur time and advice

[canadianwoman]

It's not bad to have relatives in Canada. If the applicant is the only child left behind when his parents and siblings all immigrated to Canada, then, yes, the visa officer might think he just wants to come to be with his family, but a cousin of a cousin is not going to make any difference in how they view your application.

So there is no harm in mentioning him. IF you didn't, and CIC found out, I doubt they would consider it misrepresentation anyway - since a cousin of a cousin is too distant. But since you have a letter of support from him, I would include it and list him as a relative in Canada. Just explain he is a cousin of a cousin, and that he does not live in Canada full-time. If CIC considers that to be too distant a relative to bother mentioning, no harm done; if they do in fact want to know about even distant relatives such as this, then you have mentioned him and are safe.

[CharlieD10]

I have a great-uncle in Canada, my grandmother's brother.  I can't recall the last time I saw him, it may have been around the time of my great-grandmother's (his mother's) funeral, and I was in my mid-teens then.  We have no relationship whatsoever, but I mentioned him in my application anyways.  I even had to call my grandmother and ask her for his address, but I figured it was best to mention him rather than not. 

Your cousin may not live full-time in Canada, but it cannot hurt to mention him.  Not mentioning his connection to Canada when you have a letter of support from him, simply leaves room for CIC to ask why you didn't bring it up.  Don't give them any room, LOL.

[missmini]

thanks canadianwoman and CharlieD, u have both very valuable points glad that this question popped again in my mind, just in time before we submit...in fact, at first, we did write him down then my partner said he's no direct relative (i did study the definition of relatives on the dictionary) and we also have no address to provide, so changed the answer to NO....now, i guess we'll change it back, why leave them room for useless questions

good luck for both!!