No multiple wives for new Canucks
 
By Tom Godfrey
The Toronto Sun
 
Leave your other wives at home if you want to come to Canada, federal officials are warning potential immigrants. The immigration department has ordered Canadian visa officers abroad to make sure potential immigrants are not involved in polygamous marriages before they're allowed to resettle here.

Immigration officials said they're concerned that hundreds of well-heeled polygamous applicants are trying to come here with two, three or four wives and their children.

"The first marriage is the only one that can potentially be recognized," immigration official Nicole Gareau told visa officers in a 2002 report obtained last week under access to information legislation. "Visa officers should counsel both parties that polygamy is an offence under the Criminal Code."

ILLEGAL ACT

Gareau said the couple should sign a sworn statement acknowledging that polygamy is illegal in Canada and that they will live in a monogamous marriage here.

She said the sponsor is only allowed to bring to Canada his first wife. He can sponsor kids with other spouses.

"Other spouses will not be able to come to Canada," Gareau told visa officers at 100 Canadian embassies worldwide. "Officers must explain that the separation of the children and their mothers will be permanent."

Officials said the practice occurs mainly by wealthy applicants in Middle Eastern and African countries, where polygamy is accepted. The families apply to come here as business applicants.
 
thestar.com
Originally published June 9, 2003
 
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