Rain, rain don’t go away
I thought I would close out the year 2009 with a little “feel good” story involving Canadian immigration.
This is about the Viviers family, who hail from sun-soaked South Africa. Unfortunately for them, three of the four family members suffer from a rare genetic skin disorder that makes exposure to direct sunlight extremely painful. As a result, they set out to find a reliably cloudy environment to move to. This prompted them, eleven years ago, to visit Prince Rupert, British Columbia, a place that holds the Canadian record for the least number of sunny days, pretty much every year.
The Viviers decided that they would like to remain in Canada while they applied for permanent resident status. But Canadian immigration authorities insisted that they first leave the country and then submit an application from abroad, as is normally done. This led to a lengthy series of court dates and appeals, which ended in 2004, when the Supreme Court ordered that the family be allowed to remain in Canada. Finally, five years later, they received their permanent resident visas.
For much of the waiting period, the Viviers had no permission to work but thanks to the generous nature of the good folks who populate Prince George they were well cared for all this time. So here’s a tip of my hat to all those who lent a helping hand.
Good Luck to the Viviers.
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Are you sure the family is from South Africa? Not Northern Africa? The weather you described in the blog does not reflect the weather that I known about South Africa.
It is always good to hear about helping stories . Where possiblw we need ro know somw names noy chariyies that offers help or coordinates between those offering help and those who seek help . Happy New Year
Indeed it is a feel good story. To add to it, 2009 is over; 2010 is approaching thus taking us closer to get over with the waiting period.
Happy New Year
I'm pretty sure this family could be from South Africa … over here it is definitely very hot for many months opf the year and mostly sunny throughout the year – winter or summer … and "Viviers" is also a surname that is found often in SA.
I just want to say thanks to the people of Prince Rupert for helping the Viviers family. The European South Africans is hardworking people, they will pull their weight. From sunny [+40] South Africa, have a nice 2010.
Theo
Good luck for "Veviers". What kind of good news will get in 2010 about fastrack applications for Skilled Workers ??????
A real encouraging story. hope 2010 brings some very good news for us as well n we get out PR visa soon. Its getting delayed.
Hope everyone could get happiness in 2010. No more too much suffering
they are lucky……
i am serving canada for more than 3 years fasr from my family,but canada dont want to give me a chance to get my family because i am just a semi skillled worker who are working one of a&w fast food. i am dreaming for 3 years to be with my family here in canada until now it is still a dream.i am just wondering if canada really needs us (foreign workers) why they dont give us a chance and help us to get our families. hopefully we can knock on the minister of immigrations hearth and he will open it for us, help us please to get our families. a&w worker of alberta…