It was played in a few seconds, corrects the person concerned with a smile, who will never forget the tension and stress of last autumn.
The latter has just received a permanent residence permit from the federal government for humanitarian reasons after a long political and legal battle.
“We are so happy. It’s a real relief, I can finally sleep peacefully. »
— A quote from Firas Bouzgarrou
When Firas Bouzgarrou arrived in Quebec in 2014, he had never imagined such a journey. This year, the 40-year-old finance graduate from Tunisia received permanent residency. A precious sesame to live and stay in Canada. But with some obligations.
As Radio-Canada reported a few months ago, Firas Bouzgarrou had to quickly return to Tunisia to his ailing wife and granddaughter whom he wanted to sponsor to bring to Montreal.
The family man then stayed at her bedside until 2018, before he flew back to his new home by plane. The Canadian authorities then claimed that it was too late. In her eyes, Firas Bouzgarrou had spent too much time abroad and the immigration authorities issued an expulsion order.
Despite the challenges, nothing was done. He was served with an expulsion notice and showed up at Montreal Airport on October 30, as agreed. Before an unlikely turning point.
In the face of a united front of elected provincial and federal officials, Ottawa caved in at the last moment. Immigration Secretary Sean Fraser granted him a temporary residency permit. But no long-term decision was made.
Firas Bouzgarrou, who has multiple jobs, came to Quebec as a permanent resident in 2014.
Photo: Radio Canada / Ivanoh Demers
A double victory behind the scenes
Finally, behind the scenes, Québec Jobs summarizer Firas Bouzgarrou has just clinched two new wins in quick succession. Final this time.
In late July, a federal court judge first compelled Immigration Canada to review its file, complaining of the agent’s negligence in connection with the job integration analysis. [de Firas Bouzgarrou] in Canada.
Ultimately, Immigration Canada does not have to comply with this request as the same department granted him a new permanent residency on August 4th for humanitarian reasons.
According to the reasons given in the document, a copy of which was given to Radio-Canada, Firas Bouzgarrou, who speaks perfect French, has been able to integrate strongly in Quebec and forge important social and civic ties in Canada. He has demonstrated stable employment and income that allows him to support himself and support his wife and daughter in Tunisia.
Firas has excellent social integration. We have always argued for this. And without the media frenzy and the support of politicians, we don’t know what would have happened, insists his lawyer Guillaume Cliche-Rivard, who has been working on this file with three of his colleagues for several months.
“That says a lot about the number of files that didn’t benefit from the same visibility and were inappropriately rejected. Firas is no exception. »
— A quote from Guillaume Cliche-Rivard, immigration lawyer
Firas Bouzgarrou now has only one thing in mind. I can’t wait to see my wife and daughter again, he claims as he’s unable to leave Canada during this never-ending process. I’ve been waiting for four years. It was tough, very tough. We all suffered greatly and I had almost lost all hope. Now the worst is over.