A Montreal family described as a model of integration has said goodbye to their friends, and are being deported back to Sri Lanka
The Lawrence family has been in Canada since they fled Sri Lanka's eastern province during the civil war between the government and Tamil Tigers.
Robert Lawrence worked for the UN and brought his family to Canada claiming asylum, fearing they would be targeted because of his line of work. He said he received death threats before fleeing the country.
Since being in Canada, the family has found work or academic success. 21-year-old Leony Pavithra Lawrence was hoping to pursue her studies at Ahuntsic College in January. She said she wants to be a doctor of oncology.
The head of the Commission scolaire de Montréal, Catherine Harel-Bourdon, praised the young woman as a brilliant student, hoping she and her family would be allowed to stay.
The Quebec Minister of immigration granted the family selection certificates for the province on Friday, which would have paved the way to apply for permanent residency.
On Sunday, the office of Canadian Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale confirmed he would not use his powers to issue an emergency reprieve.
Members of their church in Outremont saw them off at the airport on Sunday night. The Lawrences arrive in Colombo on Monday.
-with files from The Canadian Press