Sponsored persons Responsibilities, is there any ?

[xavier_forte]

I'm curious what you feel these responsibilities should be.

1) That all sponsored immigrant should put every effort to be supportive to their Sponsor and would make all necessary efforts to ensure that one should not become a Barden to Canadian tax payer as well as to Sponsor.

2) If Sponsored immigrant has choose to get social assistance. The sponsored immigrant who apply for social assistance should pay and is responsible for at least 50% of this amount. Sponsor should be held responsible for 50% of the remaining amount.

3) In case if Sponsored immigrant request for Social assistance. It should also be notify immediately to Sponsor. So that a debt doesn't accumulate on Sponsor.

4) Where sponsored immigrant refused to pay for Social assistance and failed to provide proof of effort to support itself. Must be subject to deportation from Canada and Cancellation of immigration status. The Cost of deportation and remaining amount of Social assistance must be paid by Sponsor.

 

[xavier_forte]

No - I'm certainly not saying that you failed.

I'm saying that one of those requirements is that you must repay any social assistance the person you sponsored takes within three years of landing.

It sucks - but you're stuck and are going to be held responsible for the agreement you signed.

But Why ? My marriage has already fallen apart and someone is abusing a system, pretending to be mentally ill and taking Social assistance for grant.

And I am not denying to pay for Social assistance.

 

[Leon]

The Crime is that she quit the job and claiming as mental ill, without any doctors report. And choosing social assistance for no reason. and moved from Alberta to Ontario. Without any explanation. Sounds to me a preplanned execution.

From what you said, she quit the job because you wanted her to go home and she couldn't get time off.

From what you said, it seems to me that she really does have mental problems. You do not know that she doesn't have a doctors note by now.

If she does indeed have mental problems, she is not choosing social assistance for no reason. Maybe she really is unable to work at this point.

As a PR, she has the right to live anywhere in Canada.

Please tell me did I failed to provide all those requirements listed in Sponsorship agreement. I provided her all necessities and ensure of her all well being. And she left me for what ?

The sponsorship agreement states that you need to provide for all her needs. It doesn't say she has to stay with you for you to have to do that. It actually says that your obligation will be upheld even if you divorce, if you lose your job or whatever else happens in your life. That is what you signed.

I can't say why she left you but if she has mental problems, she may not be thinking rationally. It sounds to me that she was very homesick for her family. When you left to work in another province, she may have felt abandoned. When you bought her a ticket to go home, she may have felt you wanted to get rid of her and that she would be unable to return. Who knows what is going on in her mind.

In any case, I am sorry it turned out that way but there is nothing you can do about it. You should get a lawyer for your divorce and as for her welfare, you will have to pay it back.

 

[xavier_forte]

From what you said, she quit the job because you wanted her to go home and she couldn't get time off.

From what you said, it seems to me that she really does have mental problems. You do not know that she doesn't have a doctors note by now.

If she does indeed have mental problems, she is not choosing social assistance for no reason. Maybe she really is unable to work at this point.

As a PR, she has the right to live anywhere in Canada.

The sponsorship agreement states that you need to provide for all her needs. It doesn't say she has to stay with you for you to have to do that. It actually says that your obligation will be upheld even if you divorce, if you lose your job or whatever else happens in your life. That is what you signed.

I can't say why she left you but if she has mental problems, she may not be thinking rationally. It sounds to me that she was very homesick for her family. When you left to work in another province, she may have felt abandoned. When you bought her a ticket to go home, she may have felt you wanted to get rid of her and that she would be unable to return. Who knows what is going on in her mind.

In any case, I am sorry it turned out that way but there is nothing you can do about it. You should get a lawyer for your divorce and as for her welfare, you will have to pay it back.

She asked me to book a flight for back home, I have no money to book her a flight. I asked for loan from my relatives.
She was asking my family doctor that I should send her to back to home.

 

[jomz]

As a sponsored person she also signed the sponsorship agreement. Personally I have never heard of a case where a sponsor took the sponsored spouse to small claims court for repayment of some cost of social assistance based on the the below. It's worth a try, I think the fee to file a small claims in Ontario is $25. It may scare her enough to start looking for a job and get off social assistance.

Sponsorship Agreement: The sponsor and the sponsored spouse/partner have to sign an agreement. This is called a Sponsorship Agreement. In this agreement, the sponsor makes a commitment to provide basic requirements for the sponsored spouse or partner. Basic requirements include food, clothing, shelter, fuel, utilities, household supplies, personal requirements, and other goods and services, including dental care, eye care, and other health needs not provided by public health care. By signing this agreement, the sponsored partner also promises that s/he will make every effort to support herself/himself.

Undertaking: A sponsor must also sign a promise to the government that her/his sponsored spouse or partner will not need to apply for social assistance. This is called an undertaking. If the sponsored person does receive social assistance, the sponsor will have to pay the money back to the government. The sponsor must also promise to do these things even if the relationship breaks up, s/he changes jobs, becomes unemployed or goes back to school etc.

 

[SenoritaBella]

I think he understands his responsibilities(for 3 years) as a sponsor. What he is saying is that he feels let down by his wife and the gov't(system) and is wondering if there are avenues to assist him.
I have said this before on here, to qualify for welfare they do a thorough check(including your bank statements for a period of time) of the average welfare claimant. The ease with which sponsored spouses get on welfare, I am curious what(if any) checks are done by the said office? It will seem all sponsored spouses qualify automatically.

I would personally like to see the welfare office send a letter to the sponsor advising them their spouse has made a claim before giving them any money. This allows the sponsor an opportunity to rent and apartment and provide food, groceries money to the spouse. The only way sponsors can effect change, is to ensure the gov't is also doing their part.

Right now, the gov't thinks this is a viable solution. Eventually, some sponsors will say screw it and just not repay the monies and the taxpayers will foot the bill. Just saying.

@ xavier, report her to CBSA and submit any evidence you have. After that, try to move on with your life. She is not worth losing your life over - your parents and family love you, so think about them instead. Regarding financial stress, speak to a consumer proposal agency - they can help negotiate with your creditors. Just search for one in your city using google.

Welfare is not enough for one to live on, so if you can, do your best to repay it as much as you can. After December 2, 2014, you will be free from having to pay for her and the gov't(taxpayers) can carry on from there. Also speak to a divorce lawyer and try to protect your assets as much as possible. She left the marriage after 3 months, not sure how much she can get from you anyway. So sorry this happened to you... it shall be well.

 

[xavier_forte]

As a sponsored person she also signed the sponsorship agreement. Personally I have never heard of a case where a sponsor took the sponsored spouse to small claims court for repayment of some cost of social assistance based on the the below. It's worth a try, I think the fee to file a small claims in Ontario is $25. It may scare her enough to start looking for a job and get off social assistance.

Sponsorship Agreement: The sponsor and the sponsored spouse/partner have to sign an agreement. This is called a Sponsorship Agreement. In this agreement, the sponsor makes a commitment to provide basic requirements for the sponsored spouse or partner. Basic requirements include food, clothing, shelter, fuel, utilities, household supplies, personal requirements, and other goods and services, including dental care, eye care, and other health needs not provided by public health care. By signing this agreement, the sponsored partner also promises that s/he will make every effort to support herself/himself.

Undertaking: A sponsor must also sign a promise to the government that her/his sponsored spouse or partner will not need to apply for social assistance. This is called an undertaking. If the sponsored person does receive social assistance, the sponsor will have to pay the money back to the government. The sponsor must also promise to do these things even if the relationship breaks up, s/he changes jobs, becomes unemployed or goes back to school etc.

By signing this agreement, the sponsored partner also promises that s/he will make every effort to support herself/himself.

Now if sponsored partner has failed to make every effort to support herself/himself , then what are the obligation on Sponsored immigrant. Could anyone help me with these please ?

 

[jomz]

see my post above. This is not law therefore cannot be enforced by CIC or CBSA. You can try small claims court.

 

[automaton82]

And you might find that if you divorce, she will receive half of your debt. I know several people in Ontario who ended up with half of their ex-spouse's (massive) student loan debt -- though that might be a special case.

Not sure who you know, but I have been divorced, and that is not the case. All income/debt incurred before being married is not split in divorce (unless for some reason the couple agrees upon it). In addition, that debt in a single name (such as a CC) is the responsibility of the named person, it doesn't magically become joint and then split (unless they co-signed of course).

This is the same as RRSP accounts, which are always registered to a single person (they can't be joint), and thus unless specifically split during a separation agreement, just stay with the owner.

 

[keesio]

By signing this agreement, the sponsored partner also promises that s/he will make every effort to support herself/himself.

Now if sponsored partner has failed to make every effort to support herself/himself , then what are the obligation on Sponsored immigrant. Could anyone help me with these please ?

I'm not sure what you are looking to gain here. There are many many cases of newly landed immigrants leaving their sponsor once they get PR. Most of these are much more blatant cases of marriage of convenience than yours. And some of them go on welfare and the sponsor is on the hook and there is nothing they can do.

Anyway, the fact that your wife tried to commit suicide and such makes me agree with Leon that her mental health is not so good. With that kind of history, her case that she is unable to support herself is actually a valid one. At the very least she is very depressed and that is a legitimate clinical issue.

 

[keesio]

After that, try to move on with your life. She is not worth losing your life over - your parents and family love you, so think about them instead.

I'm not so sure this is the best thing to do. I mean, I tend to agree with Leon that his wife has some mental health issues. Attempted suicide? woah. At the minimum, she is has a very severe case of depression. Doesn't he have at least some responsibility to his wife? You know... the whole "in sickness and in health" thing? Instead of just raising your hands up and saying "I'm moving on?"

 

[xavier_forte]

I'm not so sure this is the best thing to do. I mean, I tend to agree with Leon that his wife has some mental health issues. Attempted suicide? woah. At the minimum, she is has a very severe case of depression. Doesn't he have at least some responsibility to his wife? You know... the whole "in sickness and in health" thing? Instead of just raising your hands up and saying "I'm moving on?"

I don't know, I never wanted any of this, All I asked for a time so that I can get my job back to my home city. Which I did but not just on time. I worked hard to just keep my marriage alive man. Its not that I just wanted to get rid of her. I wanted to live my life with her. She was educated, sensible women, What happen out of a sudden. I don't get it.
I guess, I should had filed the Bankruptcy, and go on for Welfare. But than I would never be able to get a good jobs in Canada.
and never able to make a healthy living.

All sponsor must realize that Canada is not easy to live in, with standards of living so high the cost of living is to high too. If they are not going to be supportive.

on one side Sponsored immigrant specially spouses demand that they should live together and have happy life and at the same time they refuse to be supportive.

 

[SenoritaBella]

I believe professionals are best suited to handle it. The OP is stressed, also talks of death being an option, so he may be suicidal too. What's more important now is for him to find a purpose to live and in the circumstances, his family may be it.

I'm not so sure this is the best thing to do. I mean, I tend to agree with Leon that his wife has some mental health issues. Attempted suicide? woah. At the minimum, she is has a very severe case of depression. Doesn't he have at least some responsibility to his wife? You know... the whole "in sickness and in health" thing? Instead of just raising your hands up and saying "I'm moving on?"

 

[Leon]

I don't know, I never wanted any of this, All I asked for a time so that I can get my job back to my home city. Which I did but not just on time. I worked hard to just keep my marriage alive man. Its not that I just wanted to get rid of her. I wanted to live my life with her. She was educated, sensible women, What happen out of a sudden. I don't get it.
I guess, I should had filed the Bankruptcy, and go on for Welfare. But than I would never be able to get a good jobs in Canada.
and never able to make a healthy living.

All sponsor must realize that Canada is not easy to live in, with standards of living so high the cost of living is to high too. If they are not going to be supportive.

on one side Sponsored immigrant specially spouses demand that they should live together and have happy life and at the same time they refuse to be supportive.

It's hard to deal with but there is really not much you can do. Maybe she became mentally unstable after coming to Canada or maybe she had a history of it from before. Maybe Canada was not what she expected and she was very homesick.

If she gets better and wants to come back to you, would you want her back? Do you have any contact with her at all?

You need to be separated for a year before you can file for divorce. You need a lawyer to help you with that in regards to alimony and how your assets/debts are split up. You may qualify for legal aid if you don't have any money. You should probably also get some financial assistance. If you file for bankruptcy, I am sure this debt does not go away because it's a government debt but you could get out of your other debts.

 

[Alurra71]

I don't know, I never wanted any of this, All I asked for a time so that I can get my job back to my home city. Which I did but not just on time. I worked hard to just keep my marriage alive man. Its not that I just wanted to get rid of her. I wanted to live my life with her. She was educated, sensible women, What happen out of a sudden. I don't get it.
I guess, I should had filed the Bankruptcy, and go on for Welfare. But than I would never be able to get a good jobs in Canada.
and never able to make a healthy living.

All sponsor must realize that Canada is not easy to live in, with standards of living so high the cost of living is to high too. If they are not going to be supportive.

on one side Sponsored immigrant specially spouses demand that they should live together and have happy life and at the same time they refuse to be supportive.

I am sorry you are going through this, but I have to ask. At what point do YOU take responsibility for some of this as well? Did you not talk to this woman before you married her and then agreed to sponsor her to Canada? You knew the costs of living here. Did you not have a discussion with her about what her wants/needs/desires were with all of this? Did you not tell her what your wants/needs/desires were out of all of this?

You sound very bitter to me. You have every reason to be upset about all of this, however, you need to also understand that you also hold part of the blame here for not being forthcoming with EVERYTHING before jumping the gun and sponsoring your wife here. It didn't happen overnight. You had to know what she was like before you got into this situation. If you did not, then you weren't doing due diligence to yourself.

When my husband wanted to sponsor me to come live in Canada, we both knew what we wanted from the situation. We BOTH discussed how we wanted our lives to unfold and BOTH of us are taking the necessary steps to achieve those goals. Had you also taken those steps, perhaps you would not be here now with these issues.

I already said I was sorry that you are going through this, I can empathize, however, I am sorry to say I will not sympathize as you put yourself into this situation by not being clear about everything that needs to happen. Your marriage, I am sad to say, was doomed to failure simply because you did not communicate with one another and without it, nothing can be accomplished.

I wish you nothing but the best and hope you are eventually able to move on with your life.