Immigration: Samuel Dalembert

Wayne Parrish Dept: Bonner applied for special consideration under a clause in the Immigration Act that allows cabinet to override the normal process “to alleviate cases of special or unusual hardship or to reward services of an exceptional value to Canada.” His application was turned down in early June. The precedent for athletes to receive special cabinet approval is well-established. In 2006, bobsledder Lascelles Brown was granted citizenship by the then-Liberal government on the eve of the Winter Olympics in Turin. Brown had previously competed for Jamaica before marrying a Canadian woman, according to Globe And Mail. Parrish said he immediately submitted written material from Rautins and team managing director Maurizio Gherardini outlining that Bonner, as one of the three NBA players on the Canadian team, would certainly be guaranteed a spot. He also pointed out there were no other naturalized Canadians competing for Canada and at this point, only a defence-splitting pass from Kenney and company would allow Bonner, an NBA veteran who was a fan favourite for two years with the Toronto Raptors, to represent Canada in Turkey at the end of August. Bonner, who grew up in New Hampshire, married a Canadian in 2008 and was granted permanent resident status in 2009. Applicants must reside in Canada for three years before citizenship can be granted, and Bonner, who has a home in Canada but has spent the past four seasons playing in San Antonio for the Spurs, cannot meet the requirement. Basketball Canada chief executive officer Wayne Parrish said the ministry raised two concerns, in additions to his failure to meet the residency requirement. First, there was no evidence submitted indicating Bonner was guaranteed to make the team. Second, if he made the team, he would supplant another naturalized Canadian, because world championship rules allow only one naturalized citizen a team. Another NBA player and naturalized Canadian, Samuel Dalembert, is listed on the Canadian roster but has not played with the team since a falling out with head coach Leo Rautins. As reported in the news.
@t lascelles brown, nba veteran