Help a wonderful Mexican family in Okotoks
Donation protected
Please help me raise money for a wonderful, high-quality, family, Guillermo & Irma and their two children. Their story is a compelling one, full of twists and turns, and difficult to summarize, but I will attempt a brief overview.
They came to Canada legally, under a NAFTA Investor Program, in 2015 (having sold all their assets in Mexico), to start their restaurant business and their new lives in Okotoks, Alberta. They are highly educated, articulate and intelligent, and their children are respectful and honour students.
Due to disputes with the restaurant’s landlord they were forced to close just six months after opening, with the intention of reopening in a new location. An unsuccessful law suit resulted in losing most of their money to incompetent lawyers, and unscrupulous developers and contractors.
Irma has an open work permit and has been working at a daycare for the past year, but it’s not enough to support the family and pay their mortgage. They have exhausted all financial reserves, and without their Permanent Residency status, they are unable to apply for a loan or re-mortgage their house, or pay their bills.
Their work permits expire December 1, 2018. They have applied three times for Permanent Residency in Canada, however, they have been repeatedly refused because one immigration officer has made a discretionary, and arbitrary, ruling classifying Guillermo as “self-employed” – which disqualifies him – even though his work-permit restricts him to work only for the Corporation, and was issued to him as “employee” of the Corporation. In fact, even Canada Revenue classifies him as “employee”. They have fulfilled every obligation, they pay taxes, they own a house and pay a mortgage, they speak the language, their children are completely integrated and they love Canada. They have not applied for any social assistance, they have carried their burden silently and honourably. But they need help desperately as they are in danger of losing their house.
Canada Immigration has told them they must leave, but we are hoping some media attention (Global News has covered the story) will rattle the cage of someone who has the power to reverse this unfair decision. Honestly, our immigration system boggles the mind; it’s unbelievable - and completely unexpected - that they would not be granted Permanent Residency. Without their Permanent Residency, or at least an extended work permit, they cannot work, they will have no health insurance, their children will not be able to attend school, and they will not be able to provide for their family.
I have known them since 2013 and helped them come to Canada. I love this family as much as my own family and I cannot bear to see them struggling and so defeated. Please help me show them that Canada cares about them. Any amount you can donate will help a worthy and beautiful family get back on their feet.
They came to Canada legally, under a NAFTA Investor Program, in 2015 (having sold all their assets in Mexico), to start their restaurant business and their new lives in Okotoks, Alberta. They are highly educated, articulate and intelligent, and their children are respectful and honour students.
Due to disputes with the restaurant’s landlord they were forced to close just six months after opening, with the intention of reopening in a new location. An unsuccessful law suit resulted in losing most of their money to incompetent lawyers, and unscrupulous developers and contractors.
Irma has an open work permit and has been working at a daycare for the past year, but it’s not enough to support the family and pay their mortgage. They have exhausted all financial reserves, and without their Permanent Residency status, they are unable to apply for a loan or re-mortgage their house, or pay their bills.
Their work permits expire December 1, 2018. They have applied three times for Permanent Residency in Canada, however, they have been repeatedly refused because one immigration officer has made a discretionary, and arbitrary, ruling classifying Guillermo as “self-employed” – which disqualifies him – even though his work-permit restricts him to work only for the Corporation, and was issued to him as “employee” of the Corporation. In fact, even Canada Revenue classifies him as “employee”. They have fulfilled every obligation, they pay taxes, they own a house and pay a mortgage, they speak the language, their children are completely integrated and they love Canada. They have not applied for any social assistance, they have carried their burden silently and honourably. But they need help desperately as they are in danger of losing their house.
Canada Immigration has told them they must leave, but we are hoping some media attention (Global News has covered the story) will rattle the cage of someone who has the power to reverse this unfair decision. Honestly, our immigration system boggles the mind; it’s unbelievable - and completely unexpected - that they would not be granted Permanent Residency. Without their Permanent Residency, or at least an extended work permit, they cannot work, they will have no health insurance, their children will not be able to attend school, and they will not be able to provide for their family.
I have known them since 2013 and helped them come to Canada. I love this family as much as my own family and I cannot bear to see them struggling and so defeated. Please help me show them that Canada cares about them. Any amount you can donate will help a worthy and beautiful family get back on their feet.
Organizer and beneficiary
Inge French
Organizer
Okotoks, AB
Irma Canut
Beneficiary
