Wasfi v. Canada ( Secretary of State )
T-2415-91
Noël J.
17/9/92
4 pp.
Naturalization-Residency requirements-Appeal from refusal to grant citizenship -- Appellant came to Canada from Egypt in 1983 -- Married Canadian citizen -- Attended college and started family -- In 1985, when advised employment would be terminated due to staff reductions, husband accepted employment with division of same employer in South Africa for minimum two years -- Upon departure from Canada no guarantee husband would be offered employment in Canada again -- Family returned to Canada in 1990 and husband resumed employment -- During absence appellant maintained bank savings account, RRSP, Alberta driver's licence and health care insurance coverage -- Corresponded with limited number of Canadian friends -- Throughout stay in South Africa intended to return to Canada, circumstances permitting -- Appeal dismissed -- Cases where citizenship granted despite absences from Canada during good part of statutory period distinguished -- Insufficient ties to Canada to find appellant continued to reside in Canada during lengthy absence -- Citizenship Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. C-29, s. 5(1).