Deportation for French family because of disabled daughter
February 22 2010 by Liam Clifford
A family from France, who have settled in Canada, are facing deportation because their daughter, who has cerebral palsy, is considered an ‘excessive burden’ on the country.
The Barlagne family chose Canada as the lure of an entrepreneurial environment and an advancing economy was presented to them by Canada immigration. They were assured at the beginning of their enquiries that their daughter’s disability would have no effect on their move to Canada.
While the girls father, David Barlagne, has made a success of his 5-year stay in Canada and now owns his own software company operating out of Montreal, a court has ruled that he and his family, including 7-year old Rachel, must now leave Canada and return to France.
The family have one chance to reverse the decision tomorrow when a Canada immigration court will decide if immigration officials have been fair in their ruling.
Speaking of the court date tomorrow Mr. Barlagne said; "I was misled, I moved my family here, my company, and the reassurances we received are not something that should have been just casually thrown out there."
The ruling tomorrow could spell the end of the family’s time in Canada, however if the judge rules in their favour Canada immigration will be told to re-open the case. David Barlagne is optimistic of this; his lawyer on the other hand is not as convinced,
Speaking about the stance Canada immigration are adopting at the moment Stéphane Minson representing the family said;
“It seems it's important to shut the door on handicapped people. He's (Canada immigration have) taken a very hard, stubborn position,"
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