As recently featured on the front page of the Burnaby Now, long time SFU Sessional Instructor and TSSU Member David Newman and his family are now facing leaving Canada. Despite David's long commitment to SFU and his continuing employment in the Sessional Instructor and Limited Term Lecturer in the Communication department, the precarious nature of work and an ever changing immigration system have meant David is caught in loophole.

The TSSU Membership has endorsed publicizing David's plight and asks SFU Community Members to write or fax a letter to the Immigration Minister supporting David's case. It is preferable that you send a physical copy of the letter (via fax or post) as emails are often ignored.

Below is a sample letter sent to the immigration minister from a colleague of David's in the Communication Department.

The Honourable John McCallum, P.C., M.P.
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1
Telephone: 613-954-1064
Fax: 613-952-5533

Dear Minster,

I write to you on behalf of my teaching colleague here at Simon Fraser University. Dr. David Newman has been in Canada for more than 11 years, earned his Ph.D. in Communication at SFU and has been actively teaching in our school all this time. He has applied for Permanent Residence status for his family but with the change of government and adjustments in policy the process has been halted. Currently he does not meet the Immigration Department criteria. Dr. Newman’s 3-year post graduation permit has run out with no option to renew and so he remains in Canada within the limits of a Visitor's Record. David’s son Jonathan has grown up in Canada and is now a highly successful student in French Immersion at Cariboo High School in Burnaby, BC. Jonathan feels Canadian and leaving Canada would disrupt his education and social development. Dr. Newman continues to make important contributions to the School of Communication here at SFU: he teaches several popular courses and develops curriculum in the important areas of entrepreneurship and Canadian cultural industries. He has gained seniority status as an instructor and has reasonable assurance of ongoing employment. With Permanent Residence it is expected he would receive a contract to continue teaching as a Lecturer at SFU.

In short, David, his wife Hien Nguyen, and his son Jonathan Newman need your help; I respectfully entreat the Minister to use your discretionary powers to grant Permanent Resident status to this deserving family or at least expedite their application before they are forced to leave us.

Respectfully,