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Former temporary foreign worker granted permission to stay in Canada

Chandra Lye, CTV Edmonton, Published Saturday, July 25, 2015 4:51PM MDT, Source

Last Updated Saturday, July 25, 2015 6:29PM MDT

A temporary foreign worker who lost her status after being injured on her way to work has been granted the right to stay in Canada.

Vicky Venancio found out Friday that she has been granted a two-year, open-work permit during a visit from Edmonton-Sherwood Park MP Tim Uppal.

“I felt like I am dreaming about it. It has been a while that we are fighting for it. It is really good news for us.

“At least now, despite my situation, I am able to work and contribute something for our society.”

Uppal said the permit will allow Venancio to stay in Canada while her permanent resident application is considered.

“The other application she has will take some time. That will be assessed by our highly-trained immigration officials so we want to ensure she has enough time for that process to take place.”

Venancio came to work in Canada in 2011 but seven months after she arrived she was injured while riding her bike to her job at McDonald’s.

She was declared a quadriplegic and through the ReWalk program at the University of Alberta Venancio has been taking physiotherapy, which she said helped her regain her independence.

“I am able to use my walker and stand in the kitchen, go to dining room and prepare my lunch or whatever.”

Venancio’s health benefits had been cut off when she lost her job due to her situation, something that Uppal expects will be reinstated.

“There have been some commitments made by the province as well regarding her health care, which is under their jurisdiction. So, we will work with the province to ensure that Vicky has the health care that she needs.”

Venancio said she is excited to find a job and start contributing to society again. She added that she was simply happy to have two more years in Canada.

“At least I am able to have my two years sleep without fear that when I wake up in the morning they are going to send me home.”

With files from Amanda Anderson

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Former Member

Vicky Venancio

Vicky Venancio was injured while she was in Canada as a temporary foreign worker.

7/25/1510:09 PM

Former Member

Woman injured in 2011 accident asking to stay in Canada

JUlia Parrish, CTV Edmonton, Published Monday, February 16, 2015 7:02PM MST, Source

A woman, who came to Canada as a temporary foreign worker, is asking to stay, years after an accident left her seriously injured.

Maria Victoria Venancio, 29, is facing deportation back to the Philippines – years after she was first brought to Canada to work at McDonald’s.

She has lived in Canada since 2011 – seven months after she arrived, she was seriously injured as she rode her bike to work.

“I got hit by the car crossing the road, so my injury is quadriplegic,” Venancio said Monday.

Since she’s been living in Canada illegally, she has no medical coverage – but she has been receiving free physiotherapy treatment through a research project at the U of A.

Venancio said she wants to stay in Edmonton, to see how her rehabilitation develops, she also hopes to work again.

She has applied for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

“Her family, which would be her only support in the Philippines, lives three hours from a major centre and the simple lack of infrastructure there would present incredible challenges to her,” Lawyer Chris Bataluk said.

Now, Venancio faces the challenge of convincing Canadian officials to not deport her before there’s a decision on her application.

“They have in somewhat similar circumstances allowed people to stay in Canada while their application is being processed,” Bataluk said. “I’m hopeful in these circumstances they will as well.”

MLA Thomas Lukaszuk said Venancio’s case highlights issues with the temporary foreign worker program.

“We need to take a look at how we deal with TFWs, there are some 70,000 of them in Alberta who injure themselves at work, or off work hours,” Lukaszuk said. “So do we simply discard them because they are no use to us or do we take care of them?”

With files from Nicole Weisberg

7/25/1510:12 PM