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 Chinese single mom Hong Zhang (purple) was given permanent resident status in Canada Monday. Zhang, who has a daughter Sherry (pink), successfully claimed refugee status arguing that she can't be deported to China because of the one-child policy. She was to face huge fines and shamed for having Sherry out of wedlock. (Greg Henkenhaf/Toronto Sun) |
TORONTO -- A Mississauga single mom's dream to stay in Canada has come true after an emotional six-year fight against China's one-child policy.
An ecstatic Hong Zhang, 41, and daughter Sherry, 4, were notified yesterday they were accepted as immigrants in a landmark ruling in which it was argued she'd face huge fines and stigmatization if deported to China, where it's illegal to have children out of wedlock.
"I am so excited by the good news," Zhang said after a hearing at a Watline Ave. immigration office in Mississauga. "It has been a long and difficult time for us."
The decision will open the door for other single moms who can't return to China, her counsel and immigration officials said.
Zhang, a labourer, plans to obtain citizenship in two years and take Sherry to China to meet her grandparents.
"I want to give my daughter a good future in Canada," she said. "I plan on going to school to take courses to upgrade myself."
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Zhang came to Canada in 1997 and filed an unsuccessful refugee claim. During that time she gave birth to Sherry.
Her consultant, Roy Kellogg, said seven women in similar situations have surfaced after hearing of Zhang's plight.
"It's totally illegal and wrong to send a Canadian child to China," Kellogg said. "We have 11 cases like this one being processed at this time."
Deported single mothers face a fine of about $140,000 a child when they return to China with kids, he said. The children don't receive health coverage, have to pay a foreign student fee to attend school and can't obtain Chinese citizenship.
Zhang unsuccessfully tried to leave Sherry with Peel Children's Aid Society in April, 2007 so the child could one day could sponsor her back to Canada.
That month 12 Toronto Sun male readers proposed marriage to Zhang to sponsor her to remain in Canada.
TOM.GODFREY@SUNMEDIA.CA