Residency obligations and appeal

Hi,

My father applied for immigration for the family and we all moved to Canada in 2001. Since my father could not find a reasonable job, he went back to the native country as he had an established business there and later my mother also went back to accompany him. My mother got seriously ill and had to remain in the native country for her treatment for 1.5 years, due to which she could not travel to renew her PR card. All of the children including myself became citizens, however since the parents did not fullfil the residency requirements, the travel document was refused. They applied for a visit visa which was also refused on the grounds that they will not come back from Canada if granted the visa. Now both decisions are totally contradictory to each other. As a result my parents are not able to come to Canada at all to meet with their children and grand children.

We (all the children) have been put in a very difficult situation because of all this. I cannot afford to leave my mother there alone and might have to go back to the native country and will have serious implications on my career.

My sister is 27 and unmarried, she needs support from her mother as she is going through a critical time of her life. She has got admission in a university, but will have to let it go and also move back to the native country as she cannot live alone in Canada.

My parents have filed an appeal on humanitarian grounds. The question is what chances do my parents have in this appeal? How can we better prepare for the appeal? How long does it take to get a hearing date? If the parents lose the appeal what are the alternatives? Why can they not get a simple visit visa so that they can atleast meet us?

Will buying a property on my father's name help?

I really appreciate if I can get any help or guidance on this.