Downeast entrepreneurs struggle with Canadian immigration law
As the United States grapples with immigration law, Downeast entrepreneurs find themselves struggling with Canadian immigration law.
The Quoddy Tides reported that U.S. citizens Fran and Jim Lagerfeld purchased the Whale Watch Inn on Canada’s Campobello Island, off Lubec, in 2012, with plans to retire there.
The couple had lived and worked in Canada off and on over the years, and had permanent resident visas. They had to give up those visas in order to qualify for work permit visas. But a change in immigration law has held up their permanent classification. They’re currently operating the inn under a “bridge” classification which, ending next year, would force them to sell the business.
Fran Lagerfeld told the paper that Canada’s immigration law doesn’t fit the country’s goals to boost population declines in New Brunswick.
"Obviously it would be great to have young people moving here, raising families, bringing jobs, but they don't have the money, or they don't want to be in very tiny communities with one small school and no health services," she said. "They need older people with money."
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