B.C. climate activist facing deportation next month, lawyer says
CTV
A young climate activist who helped organize a series of protests across B.C.'s Lower Mainland is facing deportation unless the government approves his permanent residency application over the next few weeks, according to his lawyer.
A young climate activist who helped organize a series of protests across B.C.'s Lower Mainland is facing deportation unless the government approves his permanent residency application over the next few weeks, according to his lawyer.
The Canada Border Services Agency has instructed 23-year-old Zain Haq to leave the country by April 22.
Vancouver-based immigration lawyer Randall Cohn, who is representing Haq, described the activist as a "remarkably conscientious" young man who cares passionately about helping society, and should be allowed to remain in the country.
"This is not somebody out trying to burn things down, this is a very serious and thoughtful young person who is trying to do something meaningful with his life to face the crisis of his generation," Cohn said.
Moving forward with a deportation would be "unnecessarily punitive," the lawyer added.
Haq grew up in Pakistan before coming to Canada on a student visa, which was revoked after he was arrested and charged with mischief for taking part in a number of climate change demonstrations that blocked traffic and frustrated drivers in Metro Vancouver.
The young man was involved with the groups Extinction Rebellion, Stop Fracking Around and Save Old Growth, the latter of which he co-founded.
