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| More information about how the ''Family Law Act'' deals with property outside of British Columbia is available in the [[Dividing_Property_%26_Debt_in_Family_Law_Matters|Dividing Property & Debt]] section of the chapter on [[Property_%26_Debt_in_Family_Law_Matters|Property & Debt]], under the heading "[[Dividing_Property_%26_Debt_in_Family_Law_Matters#Determining_jurisdiction|Determining jurisdiction]]". | | More information about how the ''Family Law Act'' deals with property outside of British Columbia is available in the [[Dividing_Property_%26_Debt_in_Family_Law_Matters|Dividing Property & Debt]] section of the chapter on [[Property_%26_Debt_in_Family_Law_Matters|Property & Debt]], under the heading "[[Dividing_Property_%26_Debt_in_Family_Law_Matters#Determining_jurisdiction|Determining jurisdiction]]". |
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| ==Immigration issues==
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| Problems involving immigration usually crop up because one spouse has sponsored the other spouse into Canada, or a spouse is concerned about deportation once the relationship ends. The discussion that follows provides only an overview of some of these problems. If you have an immigration concern, you really should speak to a lawyer who practises this kind of law.
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| ===Permanent resident spouses===
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| Under new rules that were introduced in October 2012, sponsored spouses are under a ''conditional'' permanent residency status for the first two years. According to the press <span class="noglossary">release</span> from [http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index-can.asp Citizenship and Immigration Canada]:
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| <blockquote>"The spouse or partner must live in a legitimate relationship with their sponsor for two years from the day on which they receive their permanent resident status in Canada. The status of the sponsored spouse or partner may be revoked if they do not remain in the relationship."</blockquote>
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| In other words, the spouse who has been sponsored into Canada must stay with his or her spouse for at least two years or the spouse risks losing his or her permanent residency. This could be a serious problem if the potential loss of status forced people to stay in abusive relationships. However, the new rules appear to come with some exceptions. Here's more from the press <span class="noglossary">release</span>:
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| <blockquote>"The regulations include an exception for sponsored spouses or partners suffering abuse or neglect. The conditional measure would cease to apply in instances where there is evidence of abuse or neglect by the sponsor or if the sponsor fails to protect the sponsored spouse or partner from abuse or neglect. This abuse or neglect could be perpetrated by the sponsor or a person related to the sponsor, whether or not the abusive party is living in the household or not during the conditional period. The exception would also apply in the event of the death of the sponsor."</blockquote>
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| However, no matter what, your spouse may still remain responsible for supporting you and your children. If you are married, you will also remain entitled to claim a share in the family assets.
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| Although your spouse still has an obligation to support you as a sponsor, you will not lose your permanent resident status after the first two-year period if you have to apply for welfare, although you will be expected to try to get support from your spouse. If your relationship ended because of abuse, you may not have to try to get support from your spouse. Speak to your caseworker right away.
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| ===Non-resident spouses===
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| If you do not have permanent resident status, you must seek legal advice and help right away, as the breakdown of your relationship with your sponsor may affect your ability to remain in Canada (if that's in fact what you'd like to do). There are a number of agencies that help immigrants and refugees. Seek them out immediately.
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| ===Sponsoring spouses===
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| If you have sponsored your spouse into Canada, you have certain obligations to continue to provide for your spouse's needs. These responsibilities are for a fixed amount of time, and you will have promised to support your spouse when you signed the immigration forms. You have these responsibilities in addition to your responsibilities under the ''[[Divorce Act]]'' and the ''[[Family Law Act]]''. A 2004 case of the Supreme Court, ''[http://canlii.ca/t/1q1m5 Aujla v. Aujla]'', 2004 BCSC 1566 held that a sponsor's obligations under a sponsorship agreement were obligations between the sponsor and the federal government, separate from the sponsor's obligation to pay spousal support under those acts.
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| If you are a sponsor and your relationship has ended, <span class="noglossary">contact</span> an immigration lawyer right away to find out exactly what your rights and obligations are.
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| ==Resources and links== | | ==Resources and links== |
