Hello CD's,

I have a situation and need some advice.

My parents got their immigration in 2004 and my mother came to get her passport stamped. They finally immigrated to Canada in June 2005 on their own since I am a student. In September 2006 my mother took a vacation to India and on the way itself she collapsed. In India, she was diagnosed with Brain Tumors. She wasn't allowed to travel so my father went back to India. Treatment took 2 years. With all the debt for treatment (bank loans) my father can't come back and so is in India working to pay them off which will take a few years.

My mother came back last May as soon as she was allowed to travel to stay with me. The issue is that my parents are staying separately and its taking its toll. And also they don't want to let the immigration go as children are here etc.

One solution is to apply for my mother's citizenship next year. She can then go back to India and both parents can come back when the mess is cleared up.

Is there any way to make the time before her absence count? (1095 days in 4 years). Or even the time that she was receiving treatment in India? The only thing keeping my father in India is the debt.

Can a Lawyer help? Any references?

Any suggestions/advice is deeply appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Timeline:
Sept 2004: Mother's PR Stamp (Stay for 6 months)
June 2005: Both parents landed In Canada (Stay for 15 months)
Sept 2006: Trip to India (Illness)
May 2008: Return to Canada (Stay for 8 months to date)