Open Letter to Patrick Rouble, minister of education re Dura and Verdeflor immigration issues and the Yukon Nominee Program:
As I am sure you are aware, two recent newcomers to the Yukon have encountered issues with their immigration and work documentation. Francis Dura and Renaldo Verdeflor, both originally from the Philippines, face deportation.
Given these men’s keen interest in working in the Yukon, their previous efforts to arrange appropriate work visas, and the reliance many Yukon businesses have on foreign workers, I encourage you to consider their situations with respect to how their access to the Yukon Nominee Program may be eased.
Dura and Verdeflor had originally, separately, arranged to work in Alberta, and had their immigration documentation arranged accordingly. Since their arrival in Canada, they found better prospects in the Yukon and, enthusiastically if not in complete accordance with immigration requirements, they came north.
Dura made application to the Yukon Nominee Program, and Verdeflor intended to do so as well.
Both men sought employment in the Yukon and were eager to integrate into our community when their immigration documentation non-compliance came to light. These men have been welcomed into the community of Whitehorse, as well as the vibrant Filipino community that has had significant and positive experience with the Yukon Nominee Program.
They are extremely concerned about their possible deportation and the effect that will have on their future plans in Canada.
Many local businesses could not operate without the Yukon Nominee Program’s assistance with staffing. These men have previously qualified to work in Alberta, have shown themselves capable of finding work in Whitehorse, and, in Dura’s case, had already made application to the Yukon Nominee Program.
Your facilitation of their inclusion in the program will not only benefit these two individuals, but also reinforce the fruitfulness and effectiveness of the Yukon Nominee Program.
I hope that your compassion for their situation, as well as your interest in the full and fruitful use of the program, will inspire you to examine their cases to see whether any new action can be taken to legitimize their immigration and employment status.
Arthur Mitchell
Leader of the Official Opposition
See more letters page 8.