VANCOUVER – NDP MP Don Davies called on Immigration Minister Jason Kenney to allow a family from India to emigrate to Canada, as sponsored by their son, Kevin Patel, a resident of his riding of Vancouver-Kingsway.
Davies’Friday press conference follows the decision by the New Delhi embassy to refuse the permanent residency application of Patel’s parents because their dependent adult daughter has mild Down syndrome.
Immigration Canada’s reason for refusal of this application cites an excessive burden on Canada’s health and social services.
Davies, the Official Opposition Critic for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, said, “The immigration officer has come to the disturbing and baseless decision that the mere fact the daughter has Down syndrome means she would be an undue burden on Canada’s health and social services system.
“This conclusion is not supported by any facts, is contradicted by the evidence submitted in this case and represents an outdated stereotype of a person with Down syndrome that is not in keeping with modern understanding of people with this condition.
Davies called on Kenney to reverse the decision and allow the family to be reunited in Canada.
“This refusal represents a bigoted and discriminatory view that is unacceptable in 2012.”
Patel agrees, “I provided every possible document to prove that my sister will not be a burden on Canada’s system. This refusal is an abuse of authority. I am a Canadian citizen and I just want my family to be here with me in Canada. Why is that wrong?”
Davies and Patel were joined by Kirk Crowther, Executive Director of the Canadian Down Syndrome Society who noted that Canada is home to over 35,000 individuals with Down syndrome.
Crowther said, “Today, individuals with Down syndrome are going to post-secondary schools, working and getting married. People with Down syndrome are now given the opportunity to be fully contributing members of society.”
