Sechelt's Dr. Isabelle Hughan is glad to be back to work this week, having received her permanent residence papers Monday, June 27.
She credits the speedy resolution of her immigration issue to John Weston, MP for West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country, and the public pressure put on his office by caring Coasters.
"I am just overwhelmed by the support that my patients here have given me. They made it clear that I was needed back again," Hughan said.
Hughan had been away from her clinic for three weeks after being told she needed to stop working because her temporary work permit was no longer valid. She thought her new permit was in place, but updated paperwork was needed, leaving her unable to work legally in Canada.
She was debating going back to the U.K. to work while she waited for the issue to be resolved, because her family was suffering from the loss of income. But once the media picked up her story and community members started lobbying Weston's office, the issue was dealt with quickly.
Just days after Weston brought the case to the attention of Immigration Canada, a permanent residence card was issued to Hughan.
She said she went to Vancouver Monday morning to "camp out in front of UPS," and by 11 a.m., the card was in her hands.
"Then we [Hughan and her family] went straight to the border and walked over to the U.S. and came back again," Hughan said, noting the entrance into Canada is needed to make the paperwork official.
She was back to work the next morning with 40 patients waiting to see her that day.
"I'm trying to make sure I can see anyone who wants to be seen," she said, noting she usually schedules about 30 patients a day.
Weston was pleased with the outcome, saying he was "delighted" she had received her permanent residence paperwork.
"I was glad that, with my Sunshine Coast base assistant Sue McQueen, we were able to intervene and make sure the officials knew of Bella [Hughan]'s situation," Weston said. "It's not only our honour, it's our responsibility to act as advocates for members of the community who have problems with the government."
The day after Hughan received her paperwork, she met with Weston for coffee to talk about ways to help improve the system for other working professionals caught in the same situation.
"We're going to see if there's anything that can be learned from that process," Weston added.
