Lam v. Canada ( Minister of Citizenship and Immigration )
T-2539-97
Rouleau J.
10/11/98
7 pp.
Practice-Application for mandamus requiring respondent Minister to provide applicant with notification to attend taking oath of citizenship ceremony as result of decision of Citizenship Judge approving application for Canadian citizenship-Matter settled favourably for applicant-Issue now costs-Applicant failing to appear at citizenship swearing-inceremony before Citizenship Judge, as not notified-When applicant fails to attend swearing-in-ceremony following notification, he must, within next 60 days, satisfy Citizenship Judge of reasons for failing to attend-Sustained efforts of applicant since June of 1995 totally ignored, not addressed by Department officials-No opportunity provided to applicant to explain absence in June of 1995-Application for citizenship approved by Citizenship Judge-No Minister's permit issued that would justify delaying applicant's right to citizenship-No evidence before Court to justify delays-Nothing suspicious concerning applicant's activities-During course of three years, applicant had to retain counsel on two occasions, was cleared following investigation by RCMP-Totally ignored during entire process, in many instances not even extended courtesy of reply-Costs awarded to applicant at $1,500 inclusive of disbursements.