Ottawa reverses deportation order, grants residency to ‘shocked’ mother of four
HALIFAX — Canada’s immigration minister has granted permanent residency to an ill woman who was born in Britain but grew up in Canada under difficult circumstances, citing compassionate grounds in an unusual case that raised questions about what it means to be a Canadian.
The Canada Border Services Agency wanted to deport Fliss Cramman after she was convicted of a drug offence in 2014 and served 27 months in prison.
But in an unexpected move, Immigration Minister John McCallum intervened in the high-profile case Friday, saying the 33-year-old mother of four could stay in Canada as a permanent resident, based on humanitarian considerations.
“I feel overwhelmed and happy — really, really happy,” Cramman said at the conclusion of a brief Immigration and Refugee Board hearing at the Dartmouth General Hospital. “It surprised me big time … To be honest, it shocked me.”