Immigration Buzz: Toronto Teacher Issue

Toronto Teacher Denied Old Age Security Pension Needs Proof Of Immigration

In a recent news report, it was stated how an old person in Canada had to face different hassles when they are applying for government pension as security. Elizabeth H. McLeod holds a valid Canadian citizenship along with a legitimate passport. It has been more than sixty years that she has lived in this country.
She was working as a teacher in one of the most reputed schools of Canada. Last year when she retired and got to the age of sixty-five, she applied for the security, which is being offered by the Canadian government as security to Canadian nationals. However, the news of government officials refusing to allow a security to Elizabeth came as a shock for her.

What was the reason for the denial?
On asking the government officials about the reason why she was refused to have the government-funded security for her old age, the officials replied that she was unable to produce the original documents of her reaching Canada when she was four years old. They even stated that, she along with her family came from England and they are not having the proper documents to prove this fact.

On asking Ms. McLeod about the reason, she said that, she is not having any clue why they (the government officials) are declining her petition. She has dedicated her entire life in serving the students of Canada. She also added that, she has a citizenship of Canada and holds a valid and original passport of Canada. With teary eyes, Elizabeth stated that, the documents, which she is having, is not enough to prove that she belongs to Canada with heart and soul.

The outcome
After fighting for her rights, McLeod contacted her MP and got the help of further assistance for re-applying for the security loan. A replacement form was provided to the department along with various other important documents to prove her identity and verification that she actually is a citizen of Canada.
By seeing the technical grounds, there was no reason of declining the form of Ms. McLeod because a person who is applying for a government security for her old age has to be eighteen years old and should have been living in Canada for at least ten years.

Summing up
It has been four months now since Ms. McLeod re-applied for the security and she is still awaiting for a positive response. Some of the friends of Ms. McLeod quoted saying that, they (officials) should understand the situation and pass the petitions as soon as possible because hassles are taking a toll on McLeod.