I'm not normally someone to ask for favors but if anyone out there thinks they could help with this that would be incredible. Trying to help get the word out for Chris.

The article at the link sums it up very well, and I'll paste it here.

Chris is a fellow gun owner/collector and has an impressive surplus collection to boot. He's a pilot for a Chinese airline and is stuck in a rough situation. It's disheartening to hear how the Canadian government is treating him and his fiancee.

https://torontosun.com/news/lo...uNHQykFhgnXKGOEHc_L4

“Our original plan was to have our daughter here, get married and settle down,” said Diggins. “I had just begun training for a promotion on to a larger aircraft, the future looked great. Then the COVID19 crisis hit and all our plans were torn apart.”

With the virus hitting their city near the Chinese border with South Korea, they lost their doctor and hospital privileges required for the birth of their child. And with their companies shut down, they also lost their income.

Diggins thought why not go home to Canada, have the baby, apply for status for his Russian-citizen wife and live happily ever after in Hamilton where he already owns a home?

He wrote a nice letter to Immigration Canada explaining their unique situation, how he had secured an airline pilot’s job in Canada, how he would go for a visitor’s visa for Maria with a view to gaining permanent residency later. He expressed his willingness to follow all rules and wait in all queues.

Not so fast, says the federal government.

“We were honest and forthcoming,” said Chris. “We asked for no financial help and no favours other than to consider our unique situation under humanitarian and compassionate grounds.”

If they had killed a U.S. soldier while fighting for the enemy, maybe! If they snuck across an illegal border between New York State and Quebec, the RCMP may have even carried their diaper bag.

“We were refused,” said Diggins.

Stated the letter: “I am not satisfied that (Maria) will leave Canada at the end of your stay.

Seems cold. There was no mention the soon-to-be-born baby whom they could not deport.

It’s especially troubling since Chris has promised to cover all costs.

“I will pay for her expenses, including airfare, food, medical insurance, and transportation during her time in Canada. We also have the support of my extended family and do not ask, nor require the financial support of the Canadian government or its agencies.”

It has fallen on deaf ears.

In the meantime, they just wait and worry.

The clock is ticking for Maria to be able to fly somewhere to ensure the expectant mom has a safe delivery. Canada is their first choice.

The idea of sending her home to Russia while he heads to Canada has caused some sleepless nights. He fears such a scenario might result in him never getting to see the love of his life again or their child.

But they can’t stay in China.

“Life for the past seven-eight weeks has been tenuous, restrictive and nerve-wracking,” said Chris. “Recently, another foreigner returning from Germany living in our building was taken away by authorities to isolation quarantine. I just can’t let my pregnant girlfriend go into one of those places.”

Why not put them on one of those planes to CFB Trenton which has hosted hundreds of other coronavirus refugees, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen?

Many of those people had no connection to Canada but were somehow granted emergency visas. This could be done on compassionate grounds for a soon-to-be-born baby who deserves a fair shot in life.

It’s not like we don’t already let 360,000 people in here a year or anything? Hopefully, someone will look at this again."

“I just can’t let my pregnant girlfriend go into one of those places.”

I can’t help but wonder what the government response would be if they were married.

although I still have a Canadian passport I don't have any connections in Ontario

I do have one connection in Nova Scotia, a school classmate (Geoff Regan) was the Speaker of the House for Parliament up until the last election

If I can get in touch with him I will see if he has any suggestions

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
although I still have a Canadian passport I don't have any connections in Ontario

I do have one connection in Nova Scotia, a school classmate (Geoff Regan) was the Speaker of the House for Parliament up until the last election

If I can get in touch with him I will see if he has any suggestions

I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks for giving it a shot

I am Canadian, but very far away from the levers of power. I’ll write a letter to the gentleman currently at the head of IRCC, our immigration ministry. Probably not much, but it’s within my reach.

quote:

Originally posted by Steyn:
I am Canadian, but very far away from the levers of power. I’ll write a letter to the gentleman currently at the head of IRCC, our immigration ministry. Probably not much, but it’s within my reach.

Thats very kind. Thanks!