NDP urges Minister Kenney to reconsider deportation of 83 year old Sikh woman

Victoria, Canada : Randall Garrison, MP (Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca) is imploring Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney to show compassion and reverse a recent decision to deny Permanent Residency to 83 year old Surjit Bhandal. Garrison is calling on the Minister to let Surjit Bhandal stay in Canada on Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds by either granting Permanent Residence status or by issuing a temporary residency permit.

“Ms. Bhandal is a frail, elderly woman who has lived with her extended family for over 45 years,” said Garrison.  “She raised her nephews and cared for this family all her life.  Now they want to care for her in her declining years.  Instead, Ms. Bhandal faces the possibility of being deported to die alone in a country where she has no immediate family, no support and no place to live,” Garrison continued.

“Under this Conservative government, Canada’s immigration policies are increasingly mean-spirited: removing healthcare benefits from Canada’s most vulnerable, and as we see here, separating families – removing grandparents from their grandchildren, rather than working to prioritize family reunification” stated Jinny Sims, Official Opposition Critic for Citizenship and Immigration.

All avenues of appeal have been exhausted by the family and now Ms. Bhandal faces the possibility of imminent deportation.  “This makes no sense at all,” said Garrison.  Ms. Bhandal cared for her nephews from the time they were born.  Since her arrival in Canada her nephews have covered all of Ms. Bhandal’s living expenses and have pledged to continue doing so.  “If this is not a case worthy of humanitarian and compassionate consideration, then this Conservative government has no compassion at all,” Garrison said.

Source: Bruce Fogg, Office of Randall Garrison (randall.garrison.c1@parl.gc.ca)