Kaitlyn Hebb is asking the federal government to reconsider it’s decision to not allow her husband back into the country.
Hebb’s husband, who lives in Egypt, has still been unable to see their newborn child after the government refused his travel Visa.
But feeling like she was out of options, she chose to protest in order to raise awareness to the issue, choosing to set up outside outside of local MP Bernadette Jordan’s office on Thursday.
Hebb has been separated from her husband Alaa for over 400 days, saying her husband has yet to meet his newborn child.
She says her husband’s Visa was refused based on Article 179b, which allows visa officers to reject applications on the suspicion they might try to stay in Canada beyond their temporary allowance, a claim Hebb disputes
“We were told something about him coming here and his limited job prospects, but we think it is more an issue of discrimination,” she said.
“Other couples can be reunited if they come from a visa-exempt country, but because of the country he was born in we can’t be together as a family in Canada.”
She says they are in the process of applying for a spousal grant, however the process has taken 11 months so far.
Hebb says she found a group online for couples facing similar problems called Spousal Sponsorship Advocates.
Despite protesting outside of Bernadette Jordan’s office, Hebb says they’ve been very “helpful and nice” throughout the process.
