Ottawa family doctor denied permanent residency over marital status, age
CTV
An Ottawa family physician won't get to stay in Canada after she did not meet the threshold due to factors outside her control.
An Ottawa family physician won't get to stay in Canada after she did not meet the threshold because of factors outside her control.
“It breaks my heart because I do understand how important it is for every single person to have a family doctor,” said Dr. Carmen Bilcea.
Bilcea moved to Canada from the United Kingdom in 2021 and currently practices at the Meadowlands Family Health Centre.
She’s currently on a five year work visa and applied for permanent residency through the federal government’s Express Entry program, but was denied.
“The entire immigration process in Canada is extremely lengthy, extremely torturous, is costly and the outcome is uncertain,” said Dr. Bilcea.
Based on the application process, the doctor did not meet the threshold for permanent residency because of factors like not being married and being over the age of 45.
“You got a physician who dearly wants to work here, who has a practice here, who is seeing patients and fulfilling a need desperately needed in the province,” said Dr. Barry Dworkin.
