All Mikhail Lennikov wants for Christmas is his freedom.
MPs Ujjal Dosanjh and Don Davies flanked the 49-year-old ex-KGB translator at the First Lutheran Church in Vancouver yesterday as he pled with the federal government for a Christmas miracle.
And he knows the first thing he'd do if the government allows him to stay in Canada.
"I would run home without even waiting for my wife to pick me up from the church," said Lennikov, who is slated for deportation and has been taking sanctuary at the church for six months now.
On Friday, Lennikov told the press that 3,500 pages obtained through Freedom of Information reveal that he is not a threat to Canada.
Politicians from all walks of life have rallied behind the Russian in his bid for permanent residence in Canada so he can stay with his wife and son.
"We're calling on Prime Minister Harper to do this one act of kindness and generosity this Christmas," said Dosanjh. "This appeal is being made in the best of spirits, there is no criticism of the government."
New Democrat Davies echoed his Liberal counterpart.
"[The Lennikov family] are an asset to our country and an asset to our community," he said.
In the meantime, Lennikov plans on spending the holidays with the church, which is arranging a Christmas dinner for him and his family.
