Admit and reunite spouse
Petitioners ask to admit and reunite Canadian citizen Sophia Papp's spouse in Canada. The government responds it cannot disclose client details under the Privacy Act and that applications are assessed individually under immigration law.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would reunite a Canadian citizen with her spouse, restoring family unity and preventing prolonged separation.
- It would remedy a deportation that petitioners say resulted from nonviolent, summary convictions tied to climate activism.
- It could signal that peaceful civic engagement should not be met with immigration penalties, addressing youths' concerns about climate leadership.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Immigration decisions must follow law and process; the government says applications are assessed individually under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
- Privacy and confidentiality limit what the government can disclose, complicating public oversight or case-specific intervention.
- A ministerial admission for one case may conflict with legal inadmissibility grounds or create a precedent others view as unfair.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Whereas: Sophia Papp, a Canadian citizen, was separated from her spouse, Zain Haq, by his deportation for nonviolent climate activism; Zain was a respected member of his Vancouver community and a vocal advocate for peaceful civic engagement; Zain's actions were consistent with those of elected Canadian officials and celebrated leaders such as the Hon. Steven Guilbeault, the Hon. Bob Rae, Elizabeth May, M.P., OC, and Dr. Kennedy Stewart, who were not similarly punished for their civil disobedience; Zain's convictions were summary and nonviolent; The Hon. Marc Miller acknowledged the merit of Zain's case during his time as Minister; Young Canadians are worried about the impacts of climate change and are looking for climate leadership from their government - not oppression of those who demonstrate it; and This government must reject policies that mirror the unethical family separations seen south of our border. We, the undesigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to: Reunite Canadian citizen Sophia Papp with her spouse, Zain Haq, through his admission into Canada.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Signed by Peter Fragiskatos Due to the Privacy Act of Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is not able to disclose any personal information about clients or their applications without their written consent. Any individual is able to submit an application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Department assesses that application against the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (theAct) and Regulations. Each application is assessed individually based on the information provided.