Thread by @TorontoStar

“He’s never going to be in pictures. He couldn’t be here to help me. He couldn’t be here to hold our baby." Canada loosened restrictions for international couples, but not for countries that require a valid visa. They say it's a 'racist system.' torstar.co/EgJW50C0HKe

Two weeks ago, Canada relaxed the measures to let in unmarried but committed partners of Canadians, as well as international students and those with a dying family member here.

But that's only if you come from a country that doesn't require a visa.

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Joelle Bruneau of Quebec, was so sick and tired of the separation from her husband, in Honduras. He was denied a visitor's visa twice. So she decided to fly down to see him as soon as his country’s border reopened in August.

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“This is totally unfair. It’s a racist system we live in. All the people from privileged systems can come and enjoy their time with their families. Erick is from a developing country. The process is so much harder for him," she says.

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“All the moments Canada Immigration has stolen from us, we will never have it back,” added Bruneau, whose spousal sponsorship has been in the queue since January 2019.

Story by @nkeung
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