Fang v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 2003 FC 1086

Date: 20030919

Docket: IMM-1747-02

Citation: 2003 FC 1086

BETWEEN:

                                                                      LI JING FANG

                                                                                                                                                       Applicant

                                                                                 and

                                                  THE MINISTER OF CITIZENSHIP

                                                              AND IMMIGRATION

                                                                                                                                                   Respondent

                                                            REASONS FOR ORDER

LUTFY C.J.

[1]                 The sole issue in this application for judicial review is whether the visa officer erred in awarding the applicant only five units under the personal suitability factor. The applicant's request for permanent residence under the independent category was denied as she received two units less than the usual requirement of seventy.

[2]                 The visa officer was satisfied the applicant had established certain positive factors to substantiate her adaptability, motivation, initiative and resourcefulness. However, on the whole of the record, he concluded she was an average applicant concerning her ability to establish herself in Canada. The applicant correctly, in my opinion, abandoned her written argument that it was wrong to include a comparative element, as suggested by "average applicant", in the assessment: Cao v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 2003 FCT 515, [2003] F.C.J. No. 669 (Q.L.).

[3]                 Counsel for the applicant submits that because there were positive features under each of the four principal criteria to be considered for personal suitability, the assessment should have been higher than five units. No authority was advanced to support this argument.

[4]                 It is trite law that, absent any legal issues, a high degree of deference should be afforded the visa officer's assessment of personal suitability. In this case, the assessment was solely factual. On my review of the record, the applicant has failed to establish even an arguable case that would warrant this Court's intervention.

[5]                 Accordingly, this application for judicial review will be dismissed. I agree with counsel that there is no serious question for certification in this proceeding.

"Allan Lutfy"

                                                                                                                                                                             C.J.

Vancouver, British Columbia

September 19, 2003

                                                                 FEDERAL COURT

                              NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD

DOCKET:                                              IMM-1747-02

STYLE OF CAUSE:                           Li Jing Fang v. The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

PLACE OF HEARING:                      Vancouver, British Columbia

DATE OF HEARING:                        September 18, 2003

REASONS FOR ORDER :              Lutfy C.J.

DATED:                                                 September 19, 2003

APPEARANCES:

Dennis Tanack                                                                               FOR APPLICANT

Banafsheh Sokhansanj                                                                  FOR RESPONDENT

SOLICITORS OF RECORD:

Dennis Tanack                                                                               FOR APPLICANT

Can-Achieve Consultants Ltd.

Morris A. Rosenberg                                                                      FOR RESPONDENT

Deputy Attorney General of Canada

Vancouver, British Columbia