OTTAWA — Haitian Canadians hoping to bring family members to Canada in the wake of January’s devastating earthquake may have to wait months or even years before their applications are processed, federal immigration department officials say.
Since the earthquake, the department has only processed 168 of an estimated 5,000 applications for permanent resident status. While MPs pointed out it could take five years at that rate to process the existing applications from Haiti, officials say they hope to accelerate the pace.
Among those who face the longest waits are family members who qualify under Quebec’s definition of extended family but not under the federal government’s. Officials said those cases are their third priority as they make their way through thousands of applications.
In fact, the only group lower down the priority list than Haitians chosen under Quebec’s program are those who have no family ties to Canada.
“The reality is that the time frame will be enormous and you will have a lot of disappointed people because it will take months if not years to bring their siblings together,” said Denis Coderre, Liberal MP for the riding of Bourassa, home to many Haitian Canadians.
Coderre called on Immigration Minister Jason Kenney to take steps to accelerate the processing of applications, saying with lack of housing in Haiti and the rainy season on its way time is of the essence.
elizabeth.thompson@sunmedia.ca
