Canadian immigration ‘a constant battle’ for Manitoba man and restaurants

Endless challenges seem to be surfacing for immigrants to Canada, and a man in Winnipeg who is trying to bring his wife over from India, agrees.

The future is unknown for Dhruv Patel.

“It’s been a constant battle with (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) in regards to obtaining some type of insight as to where this application is heading or what agents are reviewing,” he said.

He has been trying to get his wife to Winnipeg on a spousal sponsorship for 15 months now, but said there has been no progress and very limited communication from the federal government.

“It is really tough to stay here,” he said. “The long-distance relationship, the costs associated with going back home… it is not feasible.”

Endless challenges seem to be surfacing for immigrants to Canada, like Patel’s spouse.

This has been most recently experienced in the country’s rocky relationship with India, and the federal announcement promising to reduce acceptance of new permanent residents by 21 per cent by next year.

On Oct. 24, Marc Miller, Canada’s immigration minster defended the reduction, saying, “These changes will make immigration work for our country so that everyone has access to the quality jobs, homes and supports they need to thrive. We have listened to Canadians, and we will continue to protect the integrity of our system and grow our population responsibly.”

Tony Siwicki, owner of Silver Heights Restaurant & Lounge, said many of his staff are subject to the woes Patel has been facing in immigration processes.