The Toronto Star reported today on visa denials for Ugandan participants in a World Conference on Human Rights, and also indicated I have been working to try to facilitate those visas: thestar/news/gta/2014/05/22/ugandan_gay_activists_denied_visas_to_world_pride_conference.html By way of further information for the many concerned about this situation, months ago I reached out to the Minister because I was worried visa denials of this sort could happen, given how much power is in the hands of individual CIC officers to decide on visitor-visa applications. My hope was that some form of ministerial guidance could ensure a smooth visa process for the World Conference. I am disappointed that this does not seem to have worked so far in the case of applicants from Uganda. However, I am also heartened that ministerial staff have responded with alacrity to the concerns I expressed to them once a pattern began to emerge of visa denials. I am hopeful that the fresh application process they have put in place will result in expedited -- and favourable -- re-assessments.
Posted on: Fri, 23 May 2014 16:48:18 +0000
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