How COVID stranded new Canadian residents and stalled immigration

Going into 2020, thousands of people around the world had high hopes for a new life in Canada after getting their permanent resident visas. They sold their homes, quit their jobs and got ready to move to a new country that had invited them to come to live.

But then slammed the door in their faces.

Since mid-March, Ottawa has imposed strict travel restrictions against foreign nationals, including holders of permanent resident visas. Meanwhile the clock is ticking for many whose permanent visas have expired or are near expiry.

The federal government is working to restart the immigration system that faltered badly during this pandemic but the process has been slow and frustrating. Canada is falling far short of its immigration goals.

In today’s episode of This Matters, the Star’s immigration reporter explains what is going on. Fatima Camara, a teacher from Belarus, also joins to share her family’s story of being stuck in limbo after getting their permanent resident visas and packing up their old lives only to go nowhere.

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